The streets of Auchi in Edo North were filled with an electrifying energy as the Obidients for Asue Ighodalo clad in their beautiful branded attires, took to the streets in a massive parade of invasion- live crusade to campaign for the emergence of Asue Ighodalo/ Osarodion Ogie in the Edo Governorship election coming up in September 21st 2024.
Saturday, 27th July 2024, was the turn of Edo North to feel the Obidient4Ai Crusade that started in Edo South Senatorial district invasion and gradually moved to Edo Central three weeks ago . The State leaders led by Austin Isikhuemen – Co-Convener, and Ms Blessing Agho – State Co-ordinator moved from Benin City with a team of Obidients to meet the Edo North based Obidients for what was termed Edo North Invasion.
With the Convener, Fred Atiomo in Benin Secretariat overseeing the simultaneous crusade activities in Ovia, and Sunny Dokpesi – Edo North Coordinator receiving the Obidients in Auchi, this was an impactful weekend indeeda and a breathtaking sight to behold as the city came alive with singing, dancing and chanting slogans of Asue Ighodalo for Governor .
According to Austin Isikhuemen ” The movement of the Benin Team had to be routed through NIFOR Road into Ondo State before navigating back into Owan and then to Auchi via Sabongida Ora, Ihievbe, Avbiosi. This was done in order to avoid the dangerous dilapidated Federal road through Ehor, Iruepken, Ekpoma, Irrua, Ewu, Agbede, Avbiele which has become a death trap for years now but with a welcome respite on the Owan route with the ubiquitous boiled groundnuts at Sabongida Ora which Someone said were the ‘fattest’ and most sumptuous peanuts she has ever consumed. This peanut belt which stretches from Owan to the Etsako Local Government Areas of Edo State, is an opportunity of low hanging development fruit industry that an Asue Ighodalo Government can provide the enablement to become an agricultural export zone in Edo State which a little mechanization will unlock this massive potential.
“Driving through the newly reconstructed road linking Sobe to Sabongida Ora, brings to mind the deliberate falsehood of those who preach the misleading gospel of “Obaseki has done nothing”.
“Such a beautiful road, linking many Communities through rich farmlands, providing a link between Edo North and South as well as to Ondo State cannot be considered by those who commute through that axis as “nothing” .
“With a massive reception by the Obidients of Edo North in their beautiful branded attires, it was a clear programme of a Crusade mapped out to enable a convergence with the planned parade through the city to include the women empowerment programme.
“The objective of the women’s training program which included making of pastries like meat pies, doughnuts, puff-puff, etc. as explained by the Co-convener, Mr. Austin Isikhuemen, was to teach the women how to fish rather than be given pieces of fish, adding that Asue Ighodalo’s government will rather empower people to be productive rather than giving them handouts like beggars.
“After the training the women were then given certificates of attendance and some money to assist them towards setting up little businesses as the trainees expressed appreciation for the training received and promised to attend more planned sessions in other to hone their skills and eventually become employers in their own right.
“The massive crowd of drummers, dancers, branded vehicles, colourful women in beautiful attires blowing vuvuzelas and shaking ‘ukose’ gathered at Angle 90 and from here we moved like a massive flowing river. The PDP umbrellas intermingled with branded Obidient4Ai ones. The movement was a spectacle to behold. With the popular song “Forward Ever Edo, Backward Never Edo, …. Asue Ighodalo for Governor” belching out from truck-mounted loudspeakers, the crowd moved along in unison, dancing, engaging bystanders, knocking on shops and playing their various instruments.
“The OBIDIENTS crusade for Asue Ighodalo’s emergence as the next governor of Edo state was more than just a rally . It was a gathering of people seeking renewed hope, guidance, and a renewed sense of purpose. The messages of hope and redemption from bad and anti people governance resonated deeply with the crowd, touching hearts and souls and igniting a flame of faith and belief in the dispensation of purposeful and people centered governance which the government of Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of Edo state signposts.
“The massive crowd of drummers, dancers, branded vehicles, colourful women in beautiful attires blowing vuvuzelas andshaking ‘ukose’ and leaders including six LGA Chairmen in Edo North and a crowd of party supporters, Asue/Ogie loyalists gathered at Angle 90 and from here we moved like a massive flowing river. The PDP umbrellas intermingled with branded Obidient4Ai ones as the crowd of loyalists sang the popular song “Forward Ever Edo, Backward Never Edo, …. Asue Ighodalo for Governor” belching out from truck-mounted loudspeakers, the crowd moved along in unison, dancing, engaging bystanders, knocking on shops and playing their various instruments.
The rally moved from Angle 90, through Igbei road, Poly road, ICE road, AP station junction, Jattu Market. This rally, even before the ward scheduled campaigns by the candidates themselves, has sent a clear message that Edo north cannot be led by the nose by any potentate. Taking place the same day that APC was having an event in the same city and yet pulling such a mammoth crowd, it is clear that the Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie moving train unstoppable, even in Edo North.
“The crusade provided an avenue for the Coordinators from all parts of Edo North to know themselves and share experiences while making suggestions for the best way to make deeper inroads into Edo North heartland.
This very successful crusade has proved that Edo North has massive support for the AiO² gubernatorial ticket. It has put a lie to the false narrative that Edo North belongs to the opposition. It is simply not true! But there is more work to be done to increase the margin by which victory will be achieved. The Obidients are ready for this next phase and will work at the frontlines and behind the scenes to get more voters to join the AiO² train and assure massive victory on 21 September 2024.
“As the Asue Ighodalo crusade unfolded in Auchi, it became clear that it was more than just a gathering; it was a movement. A movement of love, unity, and faith that sought to uplift and empower all those who were touched by its presence.
“The Obidients have truly left an indelible mark on the people and city of Auchi, and the message of hope and renewal will continue to echo within the hearts of the people, inspiring them to embrace a brighter and more promising future which the emergence of Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie portend.”
