2024 Guber: Former Edo Council Chairman Declares  Interest, List Security, Power, Agric as Priorities

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

A former local government chairman in Edo State, Mr. John Yakubu, has declared his interest to run for the state governorship election holding next year.

Yakubu, who was the chairman of Esan Northeast council, made the declaration at a media parley in Benin City, where he vowed to replicate his performance when he was chairman if elected as governor come next year.

Yakubu, who is the only visible aspirant on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), said that he was able to perform while in office because he was focused and determined to leave a foot print behind as local government chairman during his tenure.

He recalled how he fought a battle with the former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, who made attempt to frustrate his government by forcing local government chairmen in the state to  sign an undertaking to have their monthly allocation deducted by 10 per cent, adding that while other 17 council chairmen took the undertaking, he refused to sign as the chairman of Esan North East Local Government.

According to him, “that singular act made me an outstanding local government chairman in 2009 period, which later earned him an award by the Nigerian Tribune.”

Yakubu added: “I did what I did as a local government chairman because that was the right thing to do. Also, because I was elected to do that as the money was meant for the council and not for me and the councilors, but for the development of the local government and for the benefit of the people of the local government.

“I realise that I might have only one opportunity, which it eventually turned out to be. I tarred eight roads within my three years in office. Today I can gladly go to my people and relate with them after leaving office 13 years ago.”

Besides, the governorship hopeful promised to make security in the state one of his priority if elected as governor come next year, adding that as chief executive of the state he would not allow strangers to come into the state to  disturb farmers or go into the forest to harass farmers by not allowing them to do their legitimate job.

Yakubu also promised to generate electricity for Edo people with the gas available in all parts of the state to make power supply a reality in the state, adding “we have the potential to generate more energy and light for our people.”

On roads, he promised to solve the problem of the usual traffic hold up at the Ikpoba, River axis in Benin City with construction of alternative roads to link Ikpoba Hill with Upper Sakponba in order to divert traffic as well as other areas of the state experiencing similar hiccups, adding that with the right engineers that will be one of the simplest thing to achieve to make sure that navigating into Benin City will be one of the simplest thing as well.

The former council boss said that one of the ways he would encourage agriculture, apart from giving them security would be to educate farmers in the state on modern system of farming to enhance farm productivity which will eventually translate into surplus of food.

On the crisis in the state PDP, Yakubu disclosed that the party is making effort to reconcile the aggrieved members on the need to come together to form a formidable team, adding that if the reconciliation is genuinely carried out the party will become stronger in the state once again.

Above all, he promised to always hold a regular town hall meeting with the people of the state if elected as governor, pointing out that this is the only way he can be getting assessment from the people to know whether he is doing well or not.