By Kingsley Ohens
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Wednesday arrived Manchester, England, to a carnival-like reception featuring cultural dances in continuation of his engagement with Edo Diaspora in Europe.
The tour which kicked off on Monday, June 24 with his appearance in Reggio Emilia, Italy, is scheduled to take him to three more cities of London, Hamburg and Nuremberg.
The Manchester, engagement which held at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre was packed full to the brim in an unprecedented attendance.
Accompanied by his wife Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, his running mate, Barr Osarodion Ogie, the Edo State PDP Campaign Council Director -General, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and other aides. Ighodalo’s every presentation saw the packed hall reverberate with loud applause and approvals by the attendees.
Ighodalo dwelt extensively on his “Pathway to Prosperity for All” Manifesto which he released on Monday. He expressed confidence that with the support of the good people of Edo State, he was ready to lead the charge in transforming the state into a first world sub-national in Nigeria. He assured his audience it was doable.
“I see a pathway to prosperity for all in Edo State and it’s doable. We will transform Edo State to a first world sub-national in Nigeria. We have the people, the God given natural resources and the wherewithal to make it possible. It’s doable,” he impressed on his hearers who responded with intermittent applause and shouts of approval.
During the question and answer time, his running mate, Ogie, who is the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), joined him on the podium to do justice to every question by the enthusiastic attendees. Almost all questions were preceded by words of approval and endorsement of Ighodalo’s ambition and vision for the state.
Answering a question about his position and views on traditional institutions in the state, Ighodalo emphasised that his administration, if elected, will treat traditional rulers and institutions with the utmost reverence due to them. He assured that under his watch, nothing would be allowed to negatively impact or bring the revered traditional institutions into disrepute. The response triggered a rapturous applause across the huge hall.
Earlier, Dr Alfred Ajayi Ejiya, President of Esan Community in Manchester (ECM) and Chairman of the Manchester Town Hall Meeting with Dr Asue Ighodalo, had assured that the night’s engagement promises to be a very successful one, which it exactly turned out to be in all respects.
Ighodalo’s train moves to London, England for yet another engagement today, Thursday, June 27.
