By Chidi Roberts
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, the ambition of Dr Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got a significant boost on Tuesday when the Edo State Market Women threw their weight behind him as their preferred candidate.
The endorsement and support was announced by the Edo State market women leader, Madam Blacky Ogiemen, at a well-attended annual get-together and hosting of the Grand Patron, Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Ogbe Stadium, Benin City.
Madam Ogiemen said in the course of her welcome address that the traders in the state have always supported the government and that they would continue to do the same thing even after the tenure of Obaseki.
In her words: “The Edo State Women Traders have always supported the government in the state and we hereby pledge that we will continue to do that even after your tenure.”
She went on to list the many things the administration of Obaseki has done while in office, saying: “The achievement of your administration are too numerous to mention. We are confident that your successor, Dr Asue Ighodalo will continue for the betterment of Edo people.
“We assure you that we have decided to cast our votes for the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo and Barrister Osarodion Ogie in this next Saturday election to enable him continue and maintain the good work you have been doing. Victory is guaranteed for the PDP as Edo people go to the polls,” she declared.
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.
