By Our Reporter
Yesterday the sun was high in the sky as Honorable Prince Odi Okojie, the House of Representatives member representing Esan North East and Esan South East, arrived in the heart of Edo Central.
His convoy, decorated with the bright green and white flags of the All Progressives Congress (APC), signaled the start of a political campaign that would sweep through the region, mobilizing support for the APC governorship aspirant Senator Monday Okpebholo.
It was a critical time for the party, with the governorship election in less than 16 days, and Hon. Odi Okojie had been chosen to lead the charge in his district.
As the convoy rolled into the first town, Uroh ward 6, the streets were lined with expectant faces. The people had gathered in the town square, eager to hear what promises the party would make this time.
The small town, like many in the region, had seen its fair share of political rallies over the years, each one bringing new hopes and often leaving the people disillusioned. But this was different. Hon. Odi Okojie, a son of the soil and a Prince in the Kingdom, was back, and there was an air of familiarity and trust that filled the space.
“Brothers and sisters, he spoke in Esan dialect “we have come to bring you a message of hope,” Prince Okojie began, taking the center stage with canopies occupied by residents. His voice boomed through the square as he spoke passionately about the APC’s plans for the state if their candidate won the governorship election in the coming days. He highlighted the aspirant’s vision for transforming the region better roads, improved healthcare, investments in education, and youth empowerment.
“The APC government at the federal level has laid the foundation for development,” Okojie continued, “and now, it’s time for Edo Central to rise with our next governor. We will work together to bring change, to bring progress.”
For many, his words rang true. Elders in the crowd nodded in agreement, remembering how Hon. Odi Okojie had delivered on some of his promises as a sitting house of representative member in office. A group of women, dressed in bright wrappers, clapped as he spoke about providing basic necessities for their community to thrive. The youth in the crowd, many of them unemployed or underemployed, listened carefully as Okojie outlined plans for vocational training and entrepreneurship programs.
From Uroh, the campaign moved to Amendokhian, Idumu-Ague, Uwalor Oke, Afuda Market and Idimu Oza where the crowd was larger and the people where exited. This time, Okojie’s message was met with applause and praises. “charging the crowed Hon. Okojie asked if they would vote for the APC candidate and the response was resounding. He urged the people to go out and canvass for constituents to vote for APC, he termed it “operation one man tell another, one youth tell another, one woman tell another.”
The Honorable, also promised before the election he would electrify the places he noticed there was no electricity. The people where happy and promised to vote Senator Monday Okpebholo in the coming election.
Still on the campaign, some PDP stalwart came to the ground to disrupt the event but the people resisted with where their mood noticeably more charged in support of the APC. In Esan North East and South East, the APC faced its fiercest opposition, as the towns had historically leaned towards the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Still, Hon. Odi Okojie pressed on. He met with traditional rulers, community leaders, and market women, making sure to emphasize that the APC governorship aspirant was the candidate who could bring real development to the area. The town hall meeting was tense, with several attendees openly supporting the APC candidate.
With the turn out of events, after the attempted disruption by the PDP members. Chief Friday Ibadin CP Rtd an APC leader in Edo Central registered his displeasure over the unruly behavior of the PDP Stalwarts who came to their campaign ground to cause trouble. He appreciated the people for their cultured maturity and urged them to vote PDP out in the coming election.
As the sun began to set on Edo Central, the campaign team gathered to reflect on the day’s events. It had been a journey filled with highs and lows moments of passionate support and others of stark skepticism. The people of Esan North East and South East LGA had made it clear that they wanted action, not just words.
The campaign had highlighted the challenges facing the APC in Edo Central. Winning the trust of the people would not be easy, but with a clear vision and a commitment to delivering on their promises, Hon Odi Okojie believed that they could turn the tide in their favor.
As the convoy left the district at night, the roads stretched out ahead of them symbolic of the long path to victory that lay ahead for the APC in Edo Governorship election on September 21st, 2024.