I will Resuscitate Agbede Farm - Engr Ikhine

Engr. Gideon Ikhine of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), has  promised to resuscitate Agbede Farm to make Edo State a formidable food basket in Nigeria.

Speaking at a gathering of APC leaders yesterday, January 9, 2023, at Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area during an ongoing tour of Edo North political zone, Ikhine, aside making the above promise, reiterated the fact that he was the only aspirant in the platform of the APC that has gone round the 192 political wards in Edo State which has enabled him to identify their various problems as to come up with individual solutions to identified problems. 

He appealed to the party faithful to nominate him as their candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. He hinted on the fact that any political party not in power was a mere association of persons.

Ikhine, dubbed a political engineer, said that for any political party to be worth its name it had to win elections and be in power, stressing that with him, APC will form the next government in Edo State.

At Etsako Central, his next port of call, Ikhine had a brief meeting with some leaders led by Chief J.B. Aloye where he got prayed for to succeed in the forthcoming election. Chief Saliu John described Engr Ikhine's visit as remarkable noting that the special prayers he received in the leader's house was a sign of success at the upcoming party primary election.

Announcing his plan to the APC leaders of Etsako East, he pledged to solve their transportation problems by cutting the journey between Agenebode and Ida in Kogi State by two hours, due to plans to build a bridge across the River Niger to link the two states, from that axis, to help advance the age long business communication links between the Igala people with their Weppa Wanno brothers. 

Ikhine who had a central message for the three Etsako Local Government Areas traversed told the people, "I want you to send me. If I send myself the journey will be hard but if you send me the journey will be smooth and fine. When you send me you can as well call me back to give an account of my stewardship  at the appropriate time."

He told leaders and members of the APC, to canvass for nomination votes to turn these dreams into reality.

He reminded them, "Anyone that cannot earn income for a living is economically disabled. My government will make the youths to play active roles in government including providing them with the right platform to rise. When a child is intelligent and has no channel to explore his talent he or she will engage in negative things.

"If you want APC to win this election, look inwards and know how to go about it. Do not rely on federal might. I am running because I am the best candidate. What you do not work on will not work out. Talk is cheap, but you must match it with action. I will defeat all other party candidates at the election."

Pumping up the ego of gathered persons, Ikhine made them realize that his heroes and heroines in the country were the everyday street people not the elites. He enlightened that whatever the government was doing for them was not a favour but simply carrying out their responsibility to the people to ensure they get the dividends of democracy. 

He told them, "We have suffered enough. It is risky not to take a risk. I can assure you, Edo State will not depend on federal allocation."

In their individual responses the APC Chairmen of Etsako West, Etsako East and Etsako Central, Hon. Abudu Amed, Peter Okoro and Chief Saliu John, haven listened carefully to Engr Ikhine's presentation, stated, "We have been intimidated. We need liberation through you. If we have someone like you as governor, the state will be better for it," they concluded."