By Raphael Okhiria
A frontline aspirant in the forthcoming Edo state governorship election, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr Gideon Ikhine aka Game Changer, has promised to place Orhionmwon local government area in the forefront in the agricultural programme of his government, if voted into office as the governor of the state.
He said the purpose is to provide food for the people and also grow the state’s revenue base.
Engr. Ikhine also promised to establish a ranch and build agricultural outposts in Orhionmwon as a strategy to integrate and encourage the people there to take advantage of the agricultural programme and maximize its benefits on the people.
The highly formidable governorship aspirant, stated these on Saturday at Abudu, capital of Orihonmwon local government area in continuation of his campaign meeting with the party leadership to canvassed for nomination votes in the soon coming party primary.
He said if the entire state becomes his constituency, he will replicate the developmental strides he brought to his community, adding that a man who has never grown wealth for himself cannot grow wealth for the state. He said he is in hurry to bring Edo back to where it is supposed to be.
“The day you give me your ticket you know that PDP is gone. I was the one who led the team that say no to third term in Edo Central. I led a team that produced a Senator for the first time in the history of Edo Central and other assembly members in the area for APC. Let us know where we are, where we are going. But those who do not understand the journey will fail by the way side. It has always been my dream to become the governor of Edo State and I have never failed in my venture”.
“What I have is a vision for the people of Edo State and I want the people to key into it. Government is a serious business that requires a serious person to be in charge. If you cannot address where you are coming from, you cannot address anything when he get there”.
Ikhine said in the last three years, he recruited 12 persons to work and research on the challenges confronting the state and they have since submitted their report and I discovered that Edo is bleeding.
“So if the party members make up their minds to give me the ticket, you will not be disappointed. And I assure you that I will dismantle other party’s candidates in the election. I am prepared for the job”.
In his response, the party chairman of the local government, Julius Agbonze promised Engr. Ikhine that Orhionmwon people will speak with one voice and support him without any division.
“We are satisfied with the programme you presented to us and will report back to our leaders to join us to suppor you because we believe you can lead the party to victory in the Governorship election.