Ex-commissioner denies involvement in political violence
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, yesterday, expressed optimism that the N70,000 minimum wage, which the state government is executing has come to stay and will even be increased in years to come, if elected.
Addressing Edo citizens and residents during a town hall meeting in Benin City, the state capital, Ighodalo promised to add value to the lives of the people if given the mandate as their governor.
Lamenting the increasing insecurity in the country, Ighodalo assured that he would give priority attention to the problem so as to make the state safe for residents and conducive for tourists who would be interested in visiting the numerous historical tourism sites that dot the state’s landscape.
The gubernatorial hopeful stated that tourism is a money spinner, which is capable of generating enough funds to cater for chains of projects that can place the state in a good position among other states of the federation.
He added that his blueprint is to take the state to the level where it would become the envy of the other states. Ighodalo gave kudos to Governor Godwin Obaseki for initiating the process of e-governance, which has cut off wastages via the use of papers, while saving the government from incurring huge expenses against what was obtainable in the past.
MEANWHILE, a former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo State, Efe Stewart, yesterday, denied any involvement in last Thursday political violence in the state.
Speaking with newsmen in Benin, Stewart said that the allegation by the state government in a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the July 18 breakdown of law and order was targeted at tarnishing his political profile and reputation, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He noted that he left the ruling PDP to the APC due to irreconcilable differences after putting in so much resources and energy in his capacity as a chieftain of his former party.
According to him, having served the Obaseki-led government as a commissioner, he remained committed to enthroning good governance and leadership in the state.
