1st December, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa communities in Edo have pledged their unflinching support for the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State for the continuous provision of infrastructure and social amenities.
They gave the pledge on Sunday when leadership of the three ethnic communities visited members of the Edo Accord
Initiative at their state meeting.
In a speech read by Mallam Mauruf Ibrahim, in their behalf, the ethnic groups lauded Governor Oshiomhole for his unprecedented developmental stride in the state, just as they stressed continuity in governance with a view to protect the infrastructure already provided by the Oshiomhole’s administration.
“We the Yorubas, Ibos and our Hausa brothers think it is a thing of importance to sit and think to safeguard and protect the present infrastructural development presently being enjoyed in the state made possibly by a one time Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Leader and presently governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.
“As ethnic nationalities living in Edo State, our primary obligation is to key into any such project as Edo Accord Initiative which is to brainstorm and device means to not only help in sustaining the various developmental
signatures signed all over Edo State by the Comrade Governor but also pull together strength of votes for possible support of another progressive governorship candidates come 2016, a candidate endowed with the will-power to against all odd, fight his way through with uncut love and passion to develop Edo State even to a level beyond the bus stop of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“This we crave for because anything less than what we see and enjoy today courtesy of Comrade Oshiomhole is equal to affliction and stagnation, dated back to the dark era in Edo State that we don’t want to come back. We are supposed to march forward not backward,” Mauruf noted, adding that under the present government, there has been a level playing field for all, including the non indigenes.
“Today, our Yoruba cocoa farmers farming in Ovia North-East axis time and again sing songs of gratitude to Adams Oshiomhole-led government for creating a safe and secure environment devoid of harassment, burdensome and illegal extortion as well as neck breaking taxes from some quarters/overlordship as it then was, and for that let me join them to say thanks to the Comrade Governor,” they said.
They noted that the aforementioned benefits being enjoyed under the Oshiomhole administration is enough reason for them to key into the Edo Accord Initiative agenda of ensuring the emergence of credible candidate to take over from Governor Oshiomhole come 2016, and for this, they are solidly behind the APC in the 2016 governorship election in the State.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chairman of Edo Accord Initiative, Flynn Imarhiagbe, thanked the visitors for their support and assured them that they will be carried along as they are part and parcel of continuity and progress.