Monarchs endorse Obaseki, donate to campaign funds

Group urges genuine reconciliation

Traditional rulers from Edo North yesterday pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s governorship candidate Godwin Obaseki. The Otaru of Auchi, Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, who led other monarchs from Akoko-Edo, Owan East, Owan West, Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central in the endorsement, also donated to support the Obaseki campaign.

Presenting the cheque, the Otaru said that they were moved to support him because the state governor Adams Oshiomhole has performed well.The monarch added that they believed that supporting Obaseki would ensure that Oshiomhole’s transformation agenda would not only continue, but would also surpassed.

Momoh explained that the monarchs’ meeting was called to honour “our son who has transformed the state in all aspects of human life across the Edo South, North and Central, where there has been transformation of surpassing dimension.”“Despite that the federal allocations to states have been dwindling, the level of development in Edo State so far defines the stuff that the governor is made of,” he added.

The monarchs commended the governor for establishing a university in the region and encouraging religious’ tolerance through support for both Islam and Christian activities.The rulers lauded the development strides in education, road construction and erosion control.

The Otaru said: “One of the issues that has brought the state to limelight is inter-religious harmony which has ensured sustainable peace to the land.”He added that the Edo north traditional rulers, having committed themselves to this campaign decided to donate the funds traditional rulers get at such gathering to support the campaign.

Obaseki promised to work for the people, adding that the Edo University at Iyamho would become a model for other universities in Nigeria.Earlier, Oshiomhole told the monarchs that teachers with Islamic background would soon be employed to re-introduce teaching of Islamic Studies in public schools in the state.

Meanwhile, a group, under the aegis of Masses Eyes, yesterday called on the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those who contested the party’s primaries and their supporters to genuinely reconcile before the election.

The group’s coordinator, Samson Momorin urged the candidates to stop personal insults and attacks and focus on issues.Momorin said this warning became necessary in the face of perceived bitterness, which arose from the primary, which was allegedly skewed in favour of Godwin Obaseki.

Former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogienmwonyi and Kenneth Imansuagbon, two of the contestants, had petitioned the election panel, which later set it aside and upheld the result of the primaries.