By Mercy Akuba
Ken Imasueagbon popularly known as Rice Man has officially picked the membership Card of Edo State Labour Party.
Addressing the leadership of the party and his teeming supporters in the Labour Party Secretariat in Benin City, Ken Imasueagbon declared that he has joined the party in ward 2 , Uromi but needed to pledge his Loyalty to the State leadership of the party.
According to him, he is ready to join force with members of the party to reposition Labour Party in Edo State ahead of 2024 Governorship Election.
” For 20 years, I have sought to serve Edo People but greedy godfathers kept resisting me, but now, I have decided to take my case to God and Edo People. I don’t want to put my case in the hands of godfathers anymore, I am tired if the oppression, deciet calumny “
He stressed that with God and Edo People, his Governorship ambition in 2024 is certain.
“I pray that Labour Party should get it right and if they do, that would be the end of game for Godwin Obaseki and Adams Oshiomohole”. He added
Responding, The State Chairman of the party , Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi welcome Ken Imasueagbon and others to the party and pointed out that Labour Party is the best Political Party in Edo State prepared to provide a level playing ground for the local government election and Governorship election in the state.
Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi stressed that Labour Party is known for its unique principle to bring transparent leadership and good governance close to the People and anyone coming to the party must abide by the standard that have endeared the party to the hearts of Nigerians.
Earlier , the former Commissioner under Godwin Obaseki , Hon Adaze Ewanta who also resigned from the People Democratic Party recently, decried the high level of corruption going on in Governor Godwin Obaseki administration.
According to him, the Governor has assumed the position of godfather after promising Edo People that he would always allow a level playing ground for all contestants in any election.
” It is sad to know that his level of imposition is worse than Adams Oshiomohole, he write list of those he wants and ask party men to que under the sun and right there and there, he will announce his preferred Candidates undermining democratic process”.
He further stressed that Godwin Obaseki lacked inter personal communication skills which has affected his leadership style as he is known for writing MOUs, giving out contracts to his company Afrivest undermining the process of governance.
According to him, Godwin Obaseki draconian Leadership style contributed immensely to the abysmal failure recorded in the last general election in the state despite being the ruling party in Edo State.
He further alleged that over 300 billion has been spent trying to resusitiate Nigeria Observer, yet the Government owned media can not publish a copy because the Governor run the State as a sole proprietor business.
He however said he can no longer bear the over bearing attitude of the State Governor who is now the new godfather in town, reason why he has decided to join the Labour Party to build a new Edo State.
On her part, Dr Mrs Amen Uwangue also said that Education in Edo State is in shamble as the Governor has refused to work with experienced hands to ensure enabled learning environment for Edo Pupils.
“As former Executive Director under Adams Oshiomohole, I understand most challenges our Education facilities are facing and as we speak, under Godwin Obaseki administration, the buildings are not being maintained any longer. Floods have taken over so many schools and our children are dying everyday due to lack of adequate learning facilities”.
She however noted that her joining Labour Party is to join hands with like minds to build the party.
Speaking also, the Labour Party State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sam Uropea described the party as an emerging mega Party in Sub Saharan Africa where Politicians that knows their onions are pitching their tent ahead of the 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.
He noted that the Party is happy to receive the calibre of Ken Imasueagbon aka, Rice Man and notable Edo Sons and daughters as members and is ready to work together with all the intending Aspirants ahead of the 2024 Governorship election.
When asked if the litinaries of Governorship Aspirants trouping into the Party would not overwhelmed the party structure,Comrade Sam Uropea noted that Labour Party is known for its transparency, accountability and proven integrity and would not compromise it for any Aspirants, rather, the leadership of the party will ensure that all aspirants who will purchase the party form participate in the Governorship primary election while the winner will emerge and bear the party flag as the Candidate.
Responding to some protest outside the Party Secretariat building, Sam Uropea said, the youths are not members of the party but suspected to be hoodlums hired by opposition to discredit the person of Ken Imasueagbon.
He however called on the sponsors of the alleged protesters to desist from politics of calumny and allow true politicians to test their popularity.