On campaign stopover at the New Benin Market in Benin City on Monday where the traders declared their support for Dr. Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, wife of the candidate, Ifeyinwa, distributed wrappers and aprons to the traders, promising that she would ensure her husband fulfilled his promises to them if elected......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The PDP candidate had promised to work to make the traders happy by working assiduously for the growth and development of their businesses.
Mrs. Ighodalo expressed gratitude for the warm reception the traders accorded her husband and his entourage and assured them that she knew what he could do, stressing that whatever he promised, he would fulfill. She stated jovially that if he failed to deliver on his promise, she was the only person who could force him to, to the cheering of the traders.
Addressing the traders, a visibly excited Ighodalo thanked them and promised to promote prosperity for all, and emphasised the need to work together as the election drew near for the progress and development of Edo State.
He assured them that those who called themselves ‘Lions and Tigers’ would never return to the market to harass or intimidate them again.
According to him, “There is light and darkness. We are the light. Vote for the PDP. It’s the light. There’s good and there’s bad. PDP represents good. So, vote for PDP.
“I will think and think and think and work until there is no more poverty. See me as your son. Like a son you laboured to train through school, now working and he is back to take care of you. So, I will work to make you happy. There are places that are not as richly endowed as Edo State, but they are doing very well. We can do same”.
Endorsing Ighodalo, Mrs. Blacky Ogiamen, President of Edo State Market Women/Traders Association, rallied support for the PDP candidate, declaring that they have not only resolved to cast their votes for him, but to defend their votes.
She appreciated the women for coming out to receive him and charged them to come out en masse on September 21 to vote PDP with the umbrella as its symbol and encouraged them not to be afraid of intimidation as there would be nothing like that.
Explaining why they were supporting Ighodalo, Ogiamen said he was their son because he was born in the New Benin area, and therefore they should be proud of him.
She posited that Ighodalo has the capacity to further the peace and development currently enjoyed in Edo State.
In his brief welcome address, Coordinator of New Benin Market Christian Traders Fellowship, Ero Amienghomwan, introduced Ighodalo to the cheering crowd and prayed that by December 1, 2024, Ighodalo would be at Osadebey Avenue, seat of Edo State Government.