Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
A diaspora group, N’Edo Ghama Diaspora Group, in the United States of America, has drummed support for former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, to be picked as All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate.
The group appealed to the governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, and the party leadership to consider its candidate as the running mate.
According to the group, Agbonayinma has legislative and executive experience having worked as a special adviser under the administration of former governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
“When considering and shopping for a running mate in any election as regards the office of the deputy governor of a state, there are a number of factors to be considered in the choice of person who would fit into that office, and by extension, one who can compliment his/her boss. There is a need to settle for one who has a wealth of experience and huge electoral value.
“Getting a good candidate to fly the party’s flag in an election that would be keenly contested is not enough to guarantee the party’s victory at the polls without a running mate whose electoral value cuts across all spheres of the society.
“One of the names that came to our mind when we were considering someone as running mate to APC governorship candidate, Okpebholo, in the forthcoming September election in Edo State is Agbonayinma.
“A former member of the House of Representatives (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency), federal commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau, man who had occupied different executive offices and positions. He was a member, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and served the nation by helping to put NRC on the right path.
“He also contributed immensely to the development of Edo State as special adviser to former governor Oshiomhole. He is a man of goodwill who has used his influence and connections to affect many lives positively. He is connected both locally and internationally.
“Agbonayinma is one who has great respect for our traditional institutions, and he is well recognised by the same. Well known by our religious bodies and sundries with a few exceptions. He should be the one to be considered. He, who the cap fits, let him wear it.
“We, therefore, urge that all well-meaning party leaders and party faithful in Edo South and across the three senatorial districts of the state should nominate Agbonayinma as running mate to Okpebholo. This combination will make an unbeatable team. In fact, Ikpoba-Okha council, with its numerical strength, electoral value, and huge population, deserved the number two seat in Edo State,” the group said.
