Akpakomiza Parleys, Wooes Edo Professionals
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
The incoming government of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will involve professionals in Edo state, in the execution of key and massive projects in the state, so as to ensure that the commonwealth of Edo state remains in the state, and not transferred out of the state as it is currently happening with the present administration in Edo state.
The above revelation was made by a one time Edo state governorship aspirant, Dr. Blessing Agbonmhere, the current APC, South-South Organizing Secretary, in an event tagged Edo state Entrepreneurs and Business Owners' Interactive Dinner with Senator Monday Okpebholo, that held at View Point Hotel, in Benin city, on Friday, 23rd August, 2024.
In his opening address, one of the conveners, Dr. Blessing Agbonmhere Esq, said; "...the incoming government of Senator Monday Okpebholo, will ensure that the professionals in Edo state, are the ones that will be executing contracts and projects in the state so as to ensure that, the multiplier effects of the benefits trickles down to everyone in the state, unlike what is happening in the present administration, where only people from other states are given contracts to execute..."
In his speech, Hon. Osaretin Edosomean, the Deputy Director, Professionals, Edo state APC governorship Campaign Council, who described the eight years of governor Obaseki's government as a period of widespread disenchantment and hardship, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has unfortunately failed to live up to expectations of Edo people, added that; "...the neglect and mismanagement that characterized the last eight years, has left our state in a perilous position with many sectors suffering from inadequate attention and investment..."
Hon. Osaretin hailed the achievements of Senator Monday Okpebholo in rural road rehabilitation, Health care infrastructure, as well as the provision of scholarships, clean water, security support, free transportation etc, saying the five point agenda of Senator Okpebholo, include Education, Security, Agriculture, Employment and Road infrastructure.
On his part, the Chairman of Edo state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, emphasized that, Obaseki brutalized the Legal profession in Edo State, as he disallowed a proper inauguration of Edo state House of Assembly, when 14 EDHA Members elect were schemed out of a midnight so called inauguration, and most recently, his refusal to inaugurate 3 Judges amongst other approved NJC Judges for Edo State.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole condemned the Edo State NBA for their negligence to engage Obaseki unwarranted violations of the rule of law; saying, the NBA should have boycotted the Court to make their point.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial Candidate, emphasized the the need to bring Edo State back to life, with the retention of contractors funds, by patronizing ingenious contractors and the APC Director General of Campaign, Senator Matthew Urohide, explained that the non appearance of the APC candidate in any form of debate is strategic.
In an exclusive interview with Winning Media News online, one of the attendees of the event, Dr. Goddy Osa Igbaekemen, a member of the 2023 APC Presidential Campaign Council, who is also the Director, Intelligence gathering of Akpakomiza Support Group, commended the initiative of the organisers in bringing Edo State Entrepreneurs and Business Owners together to discuss ways of creating a better Edo state, adding that; "...what hindered development in Edo state, in the past eight years, is the erroneous government of Mr. Godwin Obaseki..."
Continuing, Igbaekemen said; "...when we all campaigned for Obaseki in 2016, we thought him to be the brain box, a technocrat, and all of that, but we never knew that he was seen as such, because he was under the direct supervision of the then governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the true Obaseki was unveiled as soon as he got the mantle of leadership; and like a prodigal son, he destroyed all the gains recorded during the government of his predecessor. Thank God we now have the opportunity of putting right our wrongs, and Senator Monday Okpebholo, is the man that will showcase our professionals Business Owners and Entrepreneurs in this state to the world".
The event had in attendance, key APC stakeholders in Edo state, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo state, who is the current Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, aka Akpakomiza, the Edo guber APC candidate, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon Dennis Idahosa, a one time Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Hon Rasaq Osagie, and a host of several others.
Comedian, I GO DIE, was there to crack the guests' ribs with his style of jokes.