By Mercy Akuba
Ahead of Edo State Local Government election , the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi , National Leadership of the party , Julius Abure and his entourage and the State Executive of Labour Partyade Kelly Ogbaloand his team had storm Benin to mobilize Voters for the 18 Local Government Chairmanship Candidates.
Speaking at the mega rally, Peter Obi stressed on the need to vote for those who have the integrity, capacity and ability to develop the grassroots.
He said the Candidates of Labour Party are Men and Women of proven integrity who have made marks in their individual careers and would translate same to the development of their various Council.
Peter Obi recalled his experience as Governor of Anambra State narrating how he was stopped from conducting local government election.
He noted that for any State to claim development, the local government must have been adequately transformed but the case of Nigeria is different as records have it that State Governors plant their stooges at the local government and loot the treasury dry as will.
Peter Obi who noted that the development of local government is critical to the advancement of the Country stressed that there is mass poverty in the land and for the system to work, the right people should occupy the Local Government positions.
According to him, most state Governors have masterminded strategies on siphoning resources meant for the development of grassroots which is the reason why it is hard to see significant development in the Country.
“As a Governor of Anambra State, I was prevented by several legal suites for 6 years not to conduct election but I ensured that resources meant for Local Government was spent for the different LGAs mostly in the area of Education, Health and infrastructural development, you can go and verify, the records are there”. He said.
Peter Obi further said that Nigeria has changed , and the Leaders must also change by providing transparent and accountable leadership to the People.
“Local Government is supposed to be the root of development, the local government is responsible for the three most critical aspect of development which is health care, when you talk about health, it is the primary health care, when you talk about Education, it is basic education and pulling people out of poverty”.
“I am saying that those in government should account for public money. People are hungry. People are dying, I told you that I was ready to solve Nigeria problems before contesting the last Presidential election”
He however assured the 18 Candidates of financial support from the Party to mobilize ahead of the local government election.
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure warns that the Local Government election results should not be written as being rumoured by some quarters .
He appreciated the supporters of Labour Party who voted to give 79% of votes in the last general election and charged them to replicate same in the LGA election.
He however charged the Candidates to tell the people what they want to do and if emerge should ensure they keep their promises.
Speaking further, the State Chairman of Labour Party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi appreciated the sponsors of the mega rally and charged all supporters to go back to their wards and ensure they mobilize for the election.
Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi who appreciated the support groups reminded them that the work at hand is huge and requires the same cooperation during the general election.
According to Comrade Kelly, wining the local government election is a must for the Party Candidates as that would help consolidate on the structures already in place ahead of the Governorship election.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of flags to the 18 Candidates and their Vice by the Peter Obi and the National Chairman, Julius Abure.