Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, the ambition of Dr Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got a significant boost on Tuesday, as the Edo State Market Women Association threw their weight behind him as their preferred candidate.
The endorsement and support was announced by the Edo state market women Association’s President, Madam Blacky Ogiemien, at a well-attended annual get-together and hosting of the Grand Patron, Governor Godwin Obaseki in Benin.
In her welcome address, Madam Ogiemen said that traders in Edo have always supported the state government in the past and would continue to do same even after the tenure of Obaseki.
“The Edo State Women Traders have always supported the government in the state and we hereby pledge that we will continue to do that even after your tenure.”
“The achievement of your administration are too numerous to mention. We are confident that your successor, Dr Asue Ighodalo will continue for the betterment of Edo people.
“We assure you that we have decided to cast our votes for the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo and Barrister Osarodion Ogie in this next Saturday election to enable him continue and maintain the good work you have been doing.
“Victory is guaranteed for the PDP as Edo people go to the polls,” she declared
Responding, Governor Obaseki thanking the the people for their support towards his administration in the past seven years and half.
He commended the women for endorsing the candidature of Dr. Ighodalo in the election, saying that he he is very optimistic that Ighodalo would surpass his developmental strides in the state as governor.
He declared that in a bid to make live and business more exciting, considering the hyper inflation that the country is currently facing, the government has decided to support the women with N1 billion grant.
Obaseki explained that the disbursement would be done through a modality that the leadership of the market women and government officials will agree upon.
He assured them that the grant would be such that it wouldn’t come with controversies.
The governor assured the women that Ighodalo as a governor in the state would double the grant.