Edo ADP Came, Saw and Conquered - Hon. Oloruntobi

By Simeon OSAJIE

Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Edo State Chapter, Hon. Gabriel Oloruntobi has assured  party members of the  readiness to take over Edo state government house comes 2024 governorship election.

He said this  was informed by the party performance in the just concluded Edo gubernatorial election. 

Hon. Oloruntobi disclosed this at the party Secretariat during a get-to-gether party organised to appreciate chairmen at the local government for effectively  coordinating their LGAs in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state. 

In his address Oloruntobi said, "In view of our performance in the just concluded Edo state gubernatorial election, there is hope that in subsequent election ADP will surely wax strong.

"If you look at the result, you will see that ADP inspite of  our age; we are just about 3 years, we came third after the two major political parties."

The state chairman appreciated the party governorship candidate Mr. Iboi Emmanuel whom he said is very respectful.

"We saw the passion in him, we gave him the party ticket without any money attached, very respectful young boy, he ought to be here with us to celebrate but unfortunately, base on his time scheduled, he needed to return back to Abuja but made provision for our relaxation while we discuss way forward for the growth of our party ADP."

Responding, Uhunwonde local government party chairmen, Chief Great Omoruyi said, "today we are happy because of the wisdom God has bestowed on our party chairman to pilot the affairs of our party,  l thank you sir on behalf of my local government; don't relent in your leadership creativity, continue the good work you are doing, we decided to honour your invitation because of our love for the party".

Contributing, Pastor Henry Ekenomonenfu, Ovia North local government East party chairman opined, "I thought our entire ADP has decamped little did l know we still have somebody like you as our chairman; your transparency is something to write home about, you are a leader to hold on to, we are really moving forward and our target is to get to the government house, l know of sure one day, with you as our state chairman we shall get there."

Also contributing, Egor local government party chairman, Hon. Friday Uwaifo said, "In fact, our chairman is a great man, he keep encouraging us, and without much efforts on our side, we came 3rd in the election we know the lions and tigers are already begging, we are not going to beg, they will come to us."

Speaking to journalist after the meeting, Hon. Gabriel Oloruntobi said, "If you look at the results you will see that ADP in spite our age of about 3 years we came third after the two major political parties. So, l felt it was necessary to appreciate our party chairmen in various local government area for their efforts, because the votes that we recorded were spread across the 18 LGAs, and l said, let us celebrate our self and prepare again for the subsequence elections. 

Reacting to INEC performance in the election, the ADP chairman said, "the election was free, fair and credible, there is no doubt it. Normally the fact that we didn't win, but there is no gainsaying that the election was not fair, for the first time, INEC did a good work; the security agencies did their best and the electorates also conducted themselves because they saw the seriousness and sincerity in INEC and the security agencies; like where l voted, l waited until the results were announced. the various party agents signed, so to me the election  is one of the best l so far witnessed and l pray and hope INEC will build on the tremendous level recorded during the Ondo election. 

"As a party we have no issue about the election results. If other parties want to go to court l wish them well.

"The party that came third from nowhere, you can see our performance, you will be surprise that in the subsequent elections a lot of people will want to run under our platform and I am very optimistic that the way we are going, the sky is our limit, you can see all of us, the party chairmen both at the state and local government levels, everybody is free, that is how to build a political party; no boss here, all of us are colleagues and so with that kind of commandeering system, we will believe in ourselves and as far as l am concern, I will also be very open to the members, when they see me open, they will follow willingly because you need power as well as authority to succeed.

"I told my members that they should go home and go strengthening the party structures preparatory to the 2923 election and that they should be vigilant," he concluded.