Ahead of the Edo State governorship election on Saturday, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, received a major endorsement from the Edo State Market Women on Tuesday.
The support was publicly declared by Madam Blacky Ogiemen, the leader of the group, during their annual gathering at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Ogbe Stadium in Benin City.
In her speech, Madam Ogiemen highlighted that the traders have always backed the government and will continue to do so even after Governor Godwin Obaseki’s term ends. She praised the achievements of Obaseki’s administration, expressing confidence that Dr. Ighodalo would carry on his good work for the benefit of Edo State.
“The women traders of Edo have always supported the government, and we pledge to continue doing so,” she said, adding that they have decided to vote for Ighodalo and his running mate, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, in the upcoming election to ensure the progress continues.
In his response speech, Governor Obaseki thanked the women. He expressed appreciation their unwavering support all through his tenure and thanked them for the promise to extend the same support to Ighodalo.
He then declared that in a bid to make live and business more exciting, considering the hyper inflation that the country is currently facing, the government has decided to support them with N1billion grant to be disbursed to them via a modality that the leadership of the market women and government officials will agree upon.
He assured them that the grant would be such that it wouldn’t come with controversies. He assured them that Ighodalo would double to grant to a rapturous ovation from the women.
Also in attendance were the First Lady, Betsy Obaseki and Dr Ighodalo’s wife, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo.
The colorfully dressed women later took to the dance floor in a show of admiration to dance with Governor Obaseki and Ighodalo.