By Raphael Okhiria
An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Engr. Gideon Ikhine, has promised to establish a Food Processing Plant in Owan West and Owan East Local Government areas for purposes of value addition on their farm produce and for export as a way of growing the local economy.
Ikhine, renowned as ‘Game Changer’, disclosed this in Sabogida Ora, when his campaign train landed in the area where he canvassed for nomination votes ahead of APC governorship primary election.
He noted that he is fully prepared physically and mentally for the governorship project, adding that he may not have enough money to share among the people, but that he certainly have the one to use to prosecute the election to secure victory for the party.
The leading Guber Aspirant, also promised to set up a Local Content Board to ensure that the available jobs will be done by the people of Edo State, saying he needs the prayers and support of the people for his loafty plans to be realized.
According to him “without your prayers it will be very difficult to heal the land, and that is the reason you will continue to pray for me fervently.
“Building a road is my responsibility. In my government all roads in the state will be motorable all the year round. We will do quality roads that will last, because I am a professional in the construction industry.
He emphasised that his government will focus on Owan because the area is capable of raising revenue enough to sustain his government, because they engage in large cocoa farming, even as he promised to develop new cities in the Owan axis of the state.
Ikhine therefore appealed to the people of Owan not to trust someone who doesn’t know their history, adding that such a person will not know what to do for them.
He also promised to address all loopholes in local government administration with a view to making that tier of government to function effectively during his tenure.
The governorship hopeful, further emphasised that at no time did he have ambition to be Governor, but a vision for Edo people that would reinvigorate the hope of the people and prepare them for progress and prosperity
On sports, he promised to build sports center that will be of international standard which he said will be named after Michael Imoudu of blessed memory.
He nonetheless advised the youths in the area not be carried away by the peanuts from politicians, as doing that will affect their lives in future, promising to positively engage them and build a prosperous future for them.
He passionately appealed to the leaders of APC to choose him as the party’s guber candidate so that he could help them to win election for the party over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In their various responses, the chairmen of Owan West and Owan East Local Government areas, Hon. Frank David and Alhaji Abdullahi Isah, respectively thanked Engr. Ikhine for his brilliant presentation of his programmes of action that will impact positively on the lives of Edo people.
They also congratulated him for presenting himself to contest the election and assured him of their support.