Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade
Agba, has congratulated the governorship candidate of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and
his running mate, Hon. Gani Audu, on their emergence as the party’s
joint governorship ticket for the scheduled September 19 election in the
state.
In a message to the duo, Prince Agba said that while there was no doubt
that the journey was tortuous, the outcome of the primary election and
the series of consultations that produced the Ize-Iyamu/Audu joint
governorship ticket demonstrated the resolve of the APC to take Edo
State to the next level.
According to him, “I am very confident that you will provide the needed
leadership to turn Edo State around. I have no doubt that you will work
with all stakeholders to bring the desired quality governance to our
citizens.
“Our teeming youths need jobs that they can both ear-mark and eye-mark.
Our students need a decent environment and quality teachers to deliver
the promise of educating the youths for the next generation. Our economy
requires someone with a genuine entrepreneurial spirit and selfless
disposition for a rejuvenation.
“Our elderly men and women and pensioners need someone with a
compassionate heart to care for them. Our healthcare sector needs a
surgical intervention as only a healthy population can enjoy the
dividends of democracy. Our Stormwater plan and projects need
completion.
“Our drains need to be desilted to solve our flooding problems. Our
governance system needs urgent reform by someone with proven emotional
intelligence and political sagacity. I am convinced that you will
accomplish the above and more and bring the genuine change Edo people
have been yearning for.”
Agba also congratulated the other contestants in the APC primary
election, Hon. Pius Odubu, Hon. Osaro Obaze and others who stepped down
their aspirations before the primary election, saying they all
demonstrated commitment to democracy and the party by participating in
the process.
He assured them that their labour would not be in vain and also urged
them to rally behind the Ize-Iyamu/Audu governorship ticket for a
comprehensive victory over PDP and other parties in the coming election.
“I urge all members of our great party to unite around the Pastor Osagie
Ize-Iyamu/Gani Audu ticket in the overall interest of the party and Edo
people. I can say without any iota of doubt or equivocation that we
shall be victorious on September 19th.
“The pointer to the victory that lies ahead was the very successful
conduct of the primary election in a rancor-free manner, devoid of the
shenanigans witnessed in other political parties,” he said.
Agba further said that the APC in Edo State had demonstrated an uncommon
camaraderie and desire to again form the next government in the state,
adding, “I am confident that the government that will emerge after the
September election that will be led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will be
one that will inspire hope in our people, harness our God-given
potentialities and lead Edo people to prosperity.”
He stated that Edo State was an APC state and “it must remain so.”
According to him, “It is my sincere hope that leaders, stakeholders, and
members of the APC in Edo State will work assiduously to sell the
profile and agenda of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to every person even
though he is already a household name from his many years as a
grassroots mobilizer.
“On my part, I am prepared to offer the leadership alongside our other
eminent federal elected and appointed officeholders on the platform of
our great party to ensure that the party emerges victorious in line with
President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to get Edo State back to the APC
fold; and, I take this opportunity to assure Mr. President that we will
not disappoint him.”