The Otaru of Auchi Kingdom in Etsako West local government area of Edo State, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, has offered prayers for the governorship ambition of Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon and asserted that it was the turn of the people of Edo Central (Esan Land) to produce Governor Godwin Obaseki’s successor in 2024.
The monarch said it was only proper in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice that the people of the Edo Central zone be supported even as he noted that traditional rulers in the state have all agreed that it was the turn of the people of the zone to produce the next governor.
Ikelebe III stated this when Barrister Imansuangbon, a Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant, paid him a condolence visit on the death of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in the neighbouring Kogi State, Alh. Ado Ibrahim, and to also inform him about his governorship ambition.
The Otaru of Auchi described Barrister Imansuangbon as a man of the people, who will get the support of the generality of Edolites as a result of his large heart in attending to the needs of the people especially through his rice sharing activities every year.
He stressed that he was of the firm opinion that Barrister Imansuangbon would do much more for the people of Edo State when he becomes their governor next year.
“Presently am mourning my friend, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. Ordinarily, I won’t receive anybody but it is because you are the Rice Man, I am giving you a private audience. For fairness and justice, it is the turn of Esanland. All the traditional rulers are united on this.
“The prayers anybody should make is that every Edo person should pay you back for all your good deeds for feeding the poor over the years,” the monarch stated.
Imansuangbon, who was in company of some Labour Party chieftains and other supporters on the visit, told journalists that he was at the palace of the Otaru to seek the monarch’s blessing and to condole him on the demise of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Imansuagbon, while speaking to journalists after the private visit to the monarch, stated, “I came here to inform the Otaru as one of our respected royal father just like I informed the Oba of Benin and the Enigies in Esanland of my intention to govern the state and to ask for his royal blessing. The monarch encouraged me to continue the good works and that as governor of Edo State, I will do well for the people of Edo State.
“I’m really excited by the kind words of the royal father and for recognising my little contributions to better the lives of the people and I believe that his prayers and advice will guide me now and also when I become the governor.”
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