A Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship aspirant in Edo, Mr Osarenren Izedonmwen, has promised to replicate legacies left by Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia and Prof. Ambrose Alli if elected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbemudia and Alli were former Military and Executive Governors of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states).
Izedonmwen made the promise in Benin during his official declaration to contest the forthcoming governorship election on the platform of the SDP
He said that SDP was repositioned to continue from the era of Ogbemudia and Alli, both late, in enthroning good governance and leadership.
“While our movement may not boast of the vast resources of larger parties, our determination to serve Edo state stands unwavering.
“We understand that power ultimately resides in two poles, those with the money and those with the people.
“We call upon every Edolite not to fall for the moneybags, but rather to stand with us as we stand with the people, for history has shown time and again that the true power always lies with the people,” he said.
“In our recent republican history, this state has produced great leaders too. We therefore stand on the shoulders of giants like Chief Anthony Enahoro, General Samuel Ogbemudia, and Professor Ambrose Alli.
“Our heroes who each rose to the call of their own generations and delivered remarkably.
“Their remarkable achievements echo through time from General Ogbemudia’s industrialization and infrastructural brilliance to Professor Alli’s visionary leadership that blessed us with universal education.
“And Chief Enahoro’s strategic wisdom that steered Nigeria towards independence,” Izedonmwen said.
According to him, “My vision is to rapidly industrialize our state, transforming it into Nigeria’s entrepreneurial hub where value is added to our God-given resources.