The Edo State governorship aspirant of the National Rescue Movement, Dennis Aikoriogie, has said that he does not need the help of godfathers to win the election.
Aikoriogie stated this in Abuja while returning his nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday, ahead of the September 21 election.
Addressing journalists at the event, the NRM chieftain called on the people of the state to reject the antics of men who succeeded only in impoverishing them over the years.
He stated that godfathers have done more harm than good in the politics of the nation, adding that they must be stopped to give the state a chance to develop in the interest of the people.
“I don’t have any relationship with godfathers. In the past, Edo State people spoke strongly and firmly about putting a stop to godfatherism, adding that “we did it with Adams Oshiomhole because we stopped him from imposing his candidate in 2020.
“I also believe the people of Edo State will put a stop to Governor Godwin Obaseki who is trying to impose his own candidate,” the NRM governorship aspirant said.
He stated, “We have seen what is happening in Rivers State between former Governor, Nyesom Wike and the current one, Siminalaiye Fubara. Governance in the state is suffering and that is why we are determined to stop godfathers from having their way this time.”
Speaking on his motivation to vie for the Office of Governor, Aikoriogie said the collapse of good governance and infrastructural decay, among others, informed his decision, saying “Governance has failed the people, and I am in the race to rescue the people of Edo State.
“I believe that Edo State citizens deserve better, and there are a whole lot of things we can do differently on the pedestal of development in terms of all sectors of the economy from road infrastructure, education, health, security, and every other ramifications.”
Also speaking, the acting National Chairman of the party, Chinedu Obi, said contrary to the belief in some quarters, NRM is not new in the politics of Edo State.
He said, “In the last election (2020) even when we had a candidate that was not too grounded, we came 5th. Today, Nigerians are not too bothered about the name of the political party; they are interested in what you are bringing to the table.
“The name of a party has not taken away poverty from Nigeria. The country is multidimensionally poor and there is nothing to celebrate here. So, anyone talking about the identity of a political party now is missing the point.”
Obi added, “NRM is not just a party, it is a movement to rescue Nigeria from the situation we found ourselves in. It is a platform for every Nigerian that feels tired of what is going on in Nigeria to express himself to usher in a new order for our country.”
On the advocacy for the zoning of the governorship ticket to Edo Central Senatorial District, the NRM said it is averse to zoning.
“We believe in giving the right candidate the opportunity to be voted for. Poverty does not know where you come from. It does not matter whether you are a Christian or Muslim, from North or South.
“Poverty does not know these things. We want someone who has the answers to the problems of society,” he added.
Per PUNCH
