Oredo Federal House of Reps Election: Obazee Joins Race, Pleads with APC Members to Reward Loyalty and Sacrifice

By Ebalu Ikhili

As Political activities gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming party primaries in Edo State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former two-time chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Osaro Obazee, has formally declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Oredo Federal Constituency.

Obazee made the declaration on Thursday at the APC Secretariat in Benin, in the presence of party leaders drawn from the local government and ward levels.

The former council boss hinged his ambition on what he described as years of loyalty and sacrifice for the ruling party, insisting that those who laboured for the party’s growth deserved to be rewarded with its ticket.

According to him, the APC’s eventual victory in Edo State after years in opposition was achieved through the collective efforts of committed party faithful who traversed communities to mobilise support for the party.

“The labourer deserves his wages. We have laboured in the vineyard of the APC and we deserve the wages. We traversed the nooks and crannies of the state to achieve the successes the party enjoys today,” he said.

Obazee recalled that the APC spent about eight years in opposition in Edo State before regaining political control, noting that the sacrifices of party loyalists must not be overlooked in the distribution of political opportunities.

Projecting confidence ahead of the primaries, he said his record as chairman of Oredo Local Government Council remained visible and would serve as a testament to his leadership capacity.

The APC stalwart assured supporters that he would remain accessible to the people if elected to represent them at the Green Chamber.

“I will not distance myself from the people after joining hands with others to achieve the successes recorded in the party. For me to distance myself from my people after being elected, I would rather not contest,” he declared.

While stressing that his ambition was not driven by desperation, Obazee urged his supporters to return to their respective wards and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the primaries.

“I am not in politics for desperation. I am in politics to ensure that the needs of my people are met. Our mission is to make sure our people are liberated,” he added.

Obazee also commended the developmental strides of the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, saying the administration’s performance had strengthened the confidence of party members seeking elective offices.

“It is because of the governor’s developmental works, which are visible everywhere, that some of us have the boldness to come out to say we want to contest.

“After campaigning and making promises on his behalf, if he had not done well, we would not have had the courage to step forward,” he said.

His declaration is expected to intensify political permutations within the APC in Oredo Federal Constituency as aspirants begin consultations and mobilisation ahead of the party’s primaries.

He also urged members of the party to remain steadfast and continue supporting the government, noting that their patience and commitment would ultimately yield positive results.

The declaration attracted party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across Oredo local government area who gathered at the party secretariat to witness the event.