Obidient4Ai Rolls Out To Edo Central
By Austin Isikhuemen
The much talked about and impactful Obidients-for-Ai advocacy group has taken their Crusade to Edo Central.
This group, led by Fred Atiomo the Convener, Austin Isikhuemen, Co-Convener, and Ms Blessing Agho, State Co-ordinator blazed through Edo Central Senatorial District and landed at Ubiaja on Monday 15th July 2024.
Their convoy moved into Esanland through Ujogba having approached via Ugoneki that Monday morning.
They stopped at Ujogba market along the beautiful macadamized and well-marked road delivered by Godwin Obaseki’s government and constructed SKAFF Construction Company. The group, accompanied by The-New-Phase-Of-Edo on their way to the AiO² rally at Ubiaja, engaged with the market women and men in their various colours.
They swooped on their boiled fresh maize, pear and plantains. This turned out to be a mini-rally for the Asue Ighodalo-Osarodion Ogie ticket. It turned out that we were preaching to the converted as every person we met told us they were all going to vote for Asue Ighodalo. The numerous posters and banners we saw as we traversed the town attested to this.
They told us too that fine road constructed by the PDP government has improved their commuting, business and their lives.
The drive through Ogwa, Ebudin and Igueben (all State roads) was smooth until we got to Uromi. The Federal road has totally collapsed and the group had to maneuver through the township before connecting to Uromi-Ubiaja road which is also in various states of disrepair.
Considering that the groups had to take Ujiogba road axis due to the impassable nature of Ehor-Ekpoma-Irrua-Ewu-Auchi road, this was a sad commentary on the state of Federal roads in Edo State. Yet, out of ignorance or political blindness, people blame the Obaseki government for what is clearly outside his remit.
The waiting crowd at Eguare – Ubiaja went into ecstasy as the convoy finally arrived. The job of the day commenced immediately with a close door Coordinators inauguration meeting. This meeting was attended by the five Local Government Coordinators and 10 Ward Coordinators from each of the five Local Government Areas of Edo Central.
Coordinated by Austin Isikhuemen, he recalled the Obidient ethos and driving principles, told the gathering that Asue Ighadalo would be the next governor of Edo State because he is the best candidate by far. He went on to enumerate Asue’s sterling qualities and track records. A roll call of the five LGA teams in the meeting was taken with the five LGAs fully represented. He urged the Coordinators to ensure they engaged with and include the female folk in all their structures as women form a massive proportion of the voting population.
The gathering was next addressed by the Fred Atiomo, the Leader and Convener of the group and a proud indigene of Ubiaja. He spoke of the principles that undergird the Obidient movement – Justice, Equity and Fairness as well as the requirements for a candidate to be considered worthy of Obidient’s support. Asue Ighodalo, he said, scores highest on all counts. He therefore reiterated to all gathered that their job is to facilitate the process that ensures the September 2024 election is won by Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie in a landslide.
Fred Atiomo reiterated the structure the Obidient movement for Ai has created to work for Asue’s victory and urged the Coordinators to go back to their LGAs and Wards and start working immediately. Tools for their work will be provided, he promised.
Next to speak was the State Coordinator Blessing Agho, She expoused the Obidient ethos and harped on the principles of inclusivity, expressing her happiness that there was a firebrand lady LGA Coordinator from Igueben Local Government. She energized the gathering and added that verve for which she is famous. She urged them to go and win this election for Asue Ighodalo and the State.
After entertainment with other Obidients who had filled the venue, the Crusade next moved to Angle 90, the Ukpaja/Illushi – Ewatto/ Ewohimi junction. Here they received the massive Ewohimi convey of Asue supporters in a carnival-like procession.
The Obidients and The New Phase of Edo moved together with this procession to the rally ground opposite the Catholic Church. Within this mammoth crowd, on lorries and atop moving trucks, you could not miss the beautiful branded Obidient4Ai umbrellas, T-shirts and face caps. Asue’s arrival at the rally caused a positive earthquake of sorts.
Ubiaja is Asue Ighodalo’s home LGA headquarters and the original headquarters of Esan Division now known as Edo Central. That this ’prophet’ is accepted at home was not in doubt. Asue told the people to go home and thank God, not to fear and that he would do the job well and will never disappoint them.
This carnival of acceptance, proof positive that a massive win is assured for this homeboy, has sent a clear message to his main opponent, trailing as he is, that nocturnal movements would not help him in this impenetrable fortress for AiO². That’s what the Obidients4Ai, The-New-Phase-Of-Edo together with the massive PDP behemoth’s track record in the state clearly signposted last Monday at Ubiaja.
The group’s crusade next targets Edo North. Auchi, Igarra, Lampese are on our sights, Owan too, in the next few weeks. Obidient’s support for Asue Ighodalo’s ticket is total and principles-driven.
