The All Progressive Congress, Wednesday, flagged off its senatorial campaign in Benin City with Governor Adams Oshiomhole taking a swipe at Senator Ehigie Uzamere who rode to the Senate on the back of the Action Congress of Nigeria only to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party afterwards
He said he was warned that Uzamere is like the leopard which cannot change its spot, but he thought he would have repented and was ready to serve the people.
Unveiling the candidates of the APC at the mega rally held at Urokpota Hall in Benin City, Oshiomhole said the party had carefully chosen its best to represent it.
Speaking on the Edo South senatorial candidate the governor said “there can be no man however generous who will give you what he does not possess. If a man is kind, he will give you everything that he has. You look and I ask you over the past for years, he has been the minority whip at the federal House of Representatives.
“When you listen to Samson speak on issues of Edo State, and the Nigerian economy, on issues of Nigeria well being, how do you feel as an Edo man. I want you to recall the contributions of Osagie as a member of Edo House of Assembly. He discharged himself creditably, he has paid his dues and he has acquitted himself well on the floor of the Assembly. He went to Abuja and he has been a pride of the APC in the Federal House of Representatives.
“For the important job of the senate, we have the danger of sending half baked contractors, swindlers dealers to Abuja. Osagie speaks the truth, he demonstrates the courage of an Edo man. He demonstrates the rich commitment to truth. He has used that to defend the interest of the Edo people. It is on that basis that we are sending him to Abuja”, he said.
According to him, the candidate of the PDP, Mr Matthew Urhoghide has never contested as a Councillor, or for House of Assembly or House of Representatives, adding that the PDP is only out to deceive the people by presenting a political neophyte who will learn the rope from the top at the Senate.
Speaking on the Oredo candidate, Hon Uyi Igbe, he said: “When PDP were in the House of Assembly, they made all efforts to frustrate my first budget by reducing development in Benin City by fifty percent. Money for school infrastructure was not released. When God answered our prayers, Uyi Igbe became speaker.
“When they brought millions, fifty million to ordinary members and seventy five million for the speaker, but the speaker knowing his family background as the son of the Iyase of Benin Kingdom refused the PDP money and said I cannot betray the people of my constituency, because of money.
Oshiomhole said “This is the man I present to you this afternoon. He has done us well, he has worked and we are proud of him. He has my support and that is why he should be sent to Abuja to represent Oredo Federal Costituency.
The Governor also presented a two-time APC member in the House of Assembly, Barrister Paul Ohonbamu as APC standard bearer for Ikpoba Okha and Egor Federal constituency, Charity Amayanvbuo as APC standard bearer for Ovia Federal Constituency and Hon Patrick Aisowieren for Orhionmwon and Uhunwode Federal constituency.
Others presented before the crowd were the candidates for the House of Assembly. Asoro Osadebamwen for Orhiomwon constituency 11, Hon. Eribo Crosby for Egor, Hon Osa zimede Sunday for Ovia North East constituency11, Hon Bright Osayande Ovia North East constituency 1, Hon Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie Uhumwonde, Hon. Iyoha Osagbove for Oredo East, Hon Chris Okaigben, Oredo West.
Other speakers at the rally included APC state cahairman, APC vice chairman Edo South, Gentleman Amegor.
