Kingsley Ohens
The Edo State chapter of Panel beaters Guild, an artisanal body of panel beaters operating in the State, has berated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, for disregarding the guild and its members even though he has been a long time member of the profession.
Speaking to pressmen after their regular monthly meeting in Benin City, the State Chairman of the Panel beaters Guild, Davis Osamuyi, described Okpebholo’s conduct as unbecoming of a panel beater, condemning the fact that he has failed to visit the group for consultations.
According to him, “Sen. Okpebholo has been a member of this association for several years. He was with us at the beginning. He returned from Jos at some point and joined the association. He was dedicated and showed a lot of zeal as a panel beater.
“To be sincere, he was a very talented panel beater because we got a lot of reports from people commending his skills. We even recommended customers to his shop. That was why he was really popular within the association.”
Osamuyi said when Okpebholo eventually stumbled on sudden wealth, he started distancing himself from the guild and forsook their gatherings.
“We later learnt that he was to contest for Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District and tried to reach out to him but he was not forthcoming and we allowed him his peace,” he stated.
Noting that it was disheartening that Okpebholo has continued to distance himself from them now that he is contesting to become the Governor of Edo State, he said if he keeps up with the stance of not owning up that he is their member, they would ensure that members of the guild across the State do not vote for him in the forthcoming election.
“We are not asking for too much. We just want him to show that he is one of us. Is that too much to ask for? We have done everything to appeal to him to show that he is a member of this association but he has failed to show up. Our votes will go to other candidates.”
He reiterated that members of the artisanal body will not vote for the APC candidate as he has refused to acknowledge that he is their member or even accord them any iota of regard by coming to them for consultations.
The Secretary of the Guild, Mr. Friday Akomor, flayed Okpebholo’s attitude towards the association, noting that he is denying them because he feels has grown beyond their station.
“We are artisans who value our work. We may be artisans but we are worthy members of the society with a duty to our customers. As one of our members, it is only right and proper to say you are one of us. Okpebholo should just come out and make a statement that he is our member and associate with us so that thousands of our members across the State will throw our weight behind his candidacy.”
