Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged voters in Edo to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
Mr Shettima said that doing so would enable the people of Edo to position themselves to benefit from the ongoing economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government.
“I assure you that this is the best time to be a governor in Nigeria. The economic reforms of the past year, though tough, have laid the groundwork for better opportunities ahead.
“With increased allocations to the states, your incoming government has more resources to bankroll programmes and projects that benefit you,” he said.
The vice president was speaking on Saturday at the grand finale of the APC gubernatorial campaign in Benin.
The vice president highlighted the recent improvement in revenue allocation to all tiers of government.
He called on the people of Edo to vote massively for the APC in order to benefit from the wind of positive change.
A statement by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, said that Mr Shettima noted that voting for the APC candidate would give birth to a state that would be functional.
According to him, Edo at the moment needs a strategic thinker, a builder, and a man of the people who can rally the people of the state.
“Whether you are a civil servant or a trader, whether you are Esan or Afemai, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, whether you are young or old, male or female, our expectations are the same.
“We all seek the same thing – a functional Edo State, a state that can provide opportunities for all of you to thrive.
“What unites us most is not our differences but our collective desire for a nation that works, a state that meets our needs,” Mr Shettima told the crowd.
Mr Shettima noted that Mr Okpebholo, candidate of the APC in the September 21 Edo governorship polls, was most qualified to assume the leadership of the state.
“What Edo State needs is a strategic thinker, a builder, a man of the people, a man who can rally the great people of Edo State.
“Edo State needs a man who will open his doors to the people, hear their cries and lead with the fear of God.
“Edo does not need a man who knows it all. Edo needs a man who feels the pulse of his people, knows where it hurts, and has a story to tell in terms of where he is coming from.
“Edo needs a compassionate leader, one who is in tune with the yearnings and aspirations of Edo people. Edo needs a leader with the tenacity and knack for radical change and influence.
“Let me sum it up by quoting Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, who said ‘The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things.
“Therefore, in Sen. Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Mr Dennis Idahosa, we have two gentlemen who will walk the talk.
“They will complement each other. The humility that has brought them thus far will also manifest in their governing of Edo State.
“With these two grassroots politicians and distinguished public servants, Edo will witness a positive redefining and reshaping of governance,” he said.
Mr Shettima assured that President Bola Tinubu was working to bring more relief to victims of flood across the country.
He said with unity of purpose, Nigeria can overcome its challenges, lamenting the recent devastating floods in Borno, Niger and other states of the federation.
“Let me assure you that our government is working around the clock to bring relief to the affected communities.
“We are mobilising resources, coordinating relief efforts and putting in place measures to mitigate the impact of future floods.
“This is not the time for politics but a time for unity and compassion. As we rebuild, we do so with the strength of our shared humanity and the firm belief that together, we can overcome any adversity.”
(NAN)
