The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have urged the people of Edo State to cast their votes for Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14 gubernatorial election in the state.
Speaking at a fund raising dinner held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday evening to support Oshiomhole’s second term bid, Fashola said only the Action Congress of Nigeria and her candidate can ensure the continuance of the development projects in Edo State.
According to Fashola: “Unfortunately, I do not have a vote in Edo, I would have voted for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the ACN. But I urge those of you who have votes in Edo, those of you who have voters in Edo, those of you who have workers in Edo, tell your people, tell your workers that their votes are safest with the ACN.”
The Lagos governor, who said he spent most of the best years of his life in Benin City as a student of UNIBEN, said the city and indeed all parts of the state have seen massive improvements on roads construction, schools rehabilitation, health centre construction and in flood control.
He advised the people to ensure massive votes for the ACN, saying: “It takes lethargy for there to be a setback.”
On his part, Tinubu recalled that Benin City and other parts of Edo State were in a sorry state when Oshiomhole took over as governor less than four years ago.
He said: “When Oshiomhole took office, Edo was in a sorry state. Bad roads, dilapidated schools and hospitals, but you have since turned Edo into a huge construction site. Thank you Adams.
“We thought it was impossible for you to make the transition from unionism to governance, but you have since proved us wrong. It is time to encourage a good leader, a good product and continue to promote a good music.
“In Edo, we are already fixing the fixer. We know they are reckless, we know they are plotting, but we will outclass them.”
Oshiomhole, who thanked the guests for attending the fund raiser, said he is seeking a second term mandate because despite the substantial work done in flood control, urban renewal, roads construction and schools rehabilitation, there remains so much more to be done.
He said the government has restored the confidence of the people in the fact that the state belongs to them and not to a few who only want to divert the state’s resources into their private pockets.
He said the opposition PDP has conceded that they lack what it takes to confront him in the election, which is why they ran to Abuja for help.
He said: “We have to complete the story that when a people have made up their minds to resist the forces of corruption, the will of the people will prevail.”
Among the other dignitaries at the fund raiser were Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Mrs Laoye Tomori, Deputy Governor of the State of Osun; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria; Chief Audu Ogbeh; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chief Tom Ikimi; Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; Senator Chris Ngige; Pastor Ituah Ighodaro; Apostle Hayford Alile; and Hon. Abike Dabiri.