Obidient4ai Crusade Rolls Out To Edo Central By Austin Isikhuemen

The much-talked-about and impactful Obidients-for-Ai advocacy group has taken its Crusade to Edo Central. This group, led by Fred Atiomo – Convener, Austin Isikhuemen – Co-Convener, and Ms Blessing Agho – State Co-ordinator blazed through Edo Central Senatorial District and landed at Ubiaja on Monday 15th July 2024.  Their convoy moved into Esanland through Ujogba having approached via Ugoneki that Monday morning.

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They stopped at Ujogba market along the beautiful macadamized and well-marked road delivered by Godwin Obaseki’s government and constructed by SKAFF Construction Company. The group, accompanied by The-New-Phase-Of-Edo on their way to the AiO² rally at Ubiaja, engaged with the market women and men in their various colors. 

They swooped on their boiled fresh maize, pear, and plantains. This turned out to be a mini-rally for the Asue Ighodalo-Osarodion Ogie ticket. It turned out that we were preaching to the converted as every person we met told us they were all going to vote for Asue Ighodalo.

The numerous posters and banners we saw as we traversed the town attested to this.  They told us too that the fine road constructed by the PDP government has improved their commuting, business, and lives.

The drive through Ogwa, Ebudin, and Igueben (all State roads) was smooth until we got to Uromi. The Federal road has totally collapsed and the group had to maneuver through the township before connecting to the Uromi-Ubiaja road which is also in various states of disrepair.

See also Uromi: Embracing Ancient African Wisdom to Confront Modern Challenges.

Considering that the groups had to take the Ujiogba road axis due to the impassable nature of the Ehor-Ekpoma-Irrua-Ewu-Auchi road, this was a sad commentary on the state of Federal roads in Edo State.  Yet, out of ignorance or political blindness, people blame the Obaseki government for what is clearly outside his remit.

The waiting crowd at Eguare–Ubiaja went into ecstasy as the convoy finally arrived. The job of the day commenced immediately with a close-door coordinator’s inauguration meeting.

This meeting was attended by the five Local Government Coordinators and 10 Ward Coordinators from each of the five Local Government Areas of Edo Central.

Coordinated by Austin Isikhuemen, he recalled the Obidient ethos and driving principles and told the gathering that Asue Ighadalo would be the next governor of Edo State because he is the best candidate by far.

He went on to enumerate Asue’s sterling qualities and track records. A roll call of the five LGA teams in the meeting was taken with the five LGAs fully represented. He urged the Coordinators to ensure they engaged with and included the female folk in all their structures as women form a massive proportion of the voting population.

The gathering was next addressed by Fred Atiomo, the Leader and Convener of the group and a proud indigene of Ubiaja.

He spoke of the principles that undergird the Obidient movement – Justice, Equity, and Fairness as well as the requirements for a candidate to be considered worthy of Obidient’s support.

You might also like to see The Obidient Movement And How People Bought Peter Obi’s Idea.

Asue Ighodalo, he said, scores highest on all counts. He therefore reiterated to all gathered that their job is to facilitate the process that ensures the September 2024 election is won by Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie in a landslide. 

Fred Atiomo reiterated the structure the Obidient movement for Ai has created to work for Asue’s victory and urged the Coordinators to go back to their LGAs and Wards and start working immediately.  Tools for their work will be provided, he promised.

Next to speak was the State Coordinator – Blessing Agho. She espoused the Obidient ethos and harped on the principles of inclusivity, expressing her happiness that there was a firebrand lady LGA Coordinator from Igueben Local Government.

She energized the gathering and added that verve for which she is famous. She urged them to go and win this election for Asue Ighodalo and the State.

After entertainment with other Obidients who had filled the venue, the Crusade next moved to Angle 90, the Ukpaja/Illushi – Ewatto/ Ewohimi junction.  Here they received the massive Ewohimi convey of Asue supporters in a carnival-like procession.

The Obidients and The New Phase of Edo moved together with this procession to the rally ground opposite the Catholic Church. Within this mammoth crowd, on lorries and atop moving trucks, you could not miss the beautiful branded Obidient4Ai umbrellas, T-shirts, and face caps.

Asue’s arrival at the rally caused a positive earthquake of sorts. Ubiaja is Asue Ighodalo’s home LGA headquarters and the original headquarters of Esan Division now known as Edo Central. That this ’prophet’ is accepted at home was not in doubt.

Asue told the people to go home and thank God, not to fear, and that he would do the job well and would never disappoint them.

This carnival of acceptance, proof positive that a massive win is assured for this homeboy, has sent a clear message to his main opponent, trailing as he is, that nocturnal movements would not help him in this impenetrable fortress for AiO².

That’s what the Obidients4Ai, The-New-Phase-Of-Edo together with the massive PDP behemoth’s track record in the state clearly signposted last Monday at Ubiaja.

The group’s crusade next targets Edo North. Auchi, Igarra, and Lampese are in our sights, and Owan too, in the next few weeks. Obidient’s support for Asue Ighodalo’s ticket is total and principles-driven.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.