The campaign for Hon Romeo Aloaye Omoike, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Etsako West Local Government Area, gathered momentum at the weekend as the Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Yakubu Oshorenua Musa led party leaders, supporters, and stakeholders on an extensive tour of communities across the council area ahead of the July 11 local government election.
The mobilisation exercise was part of the APC’s statewide campaign aimed at consolidating support for its candidates contesting in all 18 local government areas of Edo State.
At its commencement, the campaign team paid a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Highness Alhaji Haliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom. Hon. Musa, accompanied by Hon. Omoike and other party leaders paid homage to the traditional ruler and sought his royal blessings ahead of the election.
The monarch offered prayers for peace before, during, and after the polls and urged residents of Etsako West to participate actively in the democratic process by turning out large numbers to vote for candidates of their choice.
Following the palace visit, the campaign train moved through several wards where the APC leaders met with community leaders, youths, women groups, market associations, and party faithful.
Addressing residents at different locations, Hon. Omoike outlined his vision for Etsako West, promising to prioritise security, youth empowerment, and grassroots development if elected chairman.
He described security as the foundation upon which every meaningful development depends, noting that no community can achieve sustained economic growth or social progress in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
According to him, if elected his administration would work closely with security agencies, community leaders and relevant stakeholders in the locality to strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering and support initiatives aimed at protecting lives and property across the local government.
The APC chairmanship candidate also pledged to introduce programs that would create economic opportunities for young people and women through vocational training, skills acquisition, and small business support.
He said such initiatives would complement the economic empowerment programs already being implemented by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo across Edo State.
Assuring residents that his administration would operate an open-door policy, he said his administration would encourage citizens’ participation in governance and ensure that development projects are spread fairly across all communities in the local government.
He further promised to improve infrastructure at the grassroots by supporting better rural roads, markets, healthcare facilities, and educational services within the resources available to the council.
Speaking during the campaign, Hon. Yakubu Musa urged party supporters to remain united and committed to ensuring a decisive victory for the APC in the forthcoming election.
He said the state government remained committed to delivering democratic dividends to all parts of Edo State and called on residents to support the party’s candidates to ensure continuity of development at both the state and local government levels.
At Ward 4, Hon. Musa announced a donation of ₦1 million to support party activities in the ward amidst a loud applause. Many party members and residents described the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s continued commitment to strengthening the party’s grassroots structures.
Community leaders, women, and youth representatives who addressed the gathering pledged their support for the APC candidate and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the council election.
Party officials also used the opportunity to remind eligible voters to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate peacefully in the election. They urged supporters to remain law-abiding, avoid acts capable of disrupting the electoral process, and turn out early to cast their votes.
The campaign attracted a large turnout of APC supporters who accompanied the candidates from one ward to another, chanting party slogans and expressing optimism about the party’s chances at the polls.
The involvement of senior government officials, including Hon. Yakubu Musa reflects the importance the APC attaches to the Etsako West chairmanship contest as part of its wider strategy to secure victories across the state.
Meanwhile the Etsako West campaign is also part of the APC’s broader mobilisation effort across Edo North Senatorial District, where influential party leaders, including former Edo State Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, have intensified campaigns for the party’s candidates ahead of the July 11 local government election.
With only a few days left before the polls, the APC ward-to-ward mobilisation, community engagement, and voter sensitisation will continue across Etsako West as the party seeks to consolidate support and secure victory at the polls.
