By Simeon OSAJIE
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Hon. Abdul Oroh has formally declared his intention
to return to represent the Owan Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
Oroh, who represented the constituency in the 5th Assembly between 2003 and 2007, was endorsed solely by leaders of the All Progressives Congress across the 22 wards that make up the constituency during the declaration.
The motion for the endorsement of Abdul Oroh as the APC candidate for the Owan Federal legislative seat was moved by Chief Alidu Ovbiotse and seconded by Isekhemen Francis Ozoya.
The party leaders who unanimously endorsed Hon. Abdul Oroh as the APC’s sole candidate, noted that he performed impressively and credibly when he was first elected as member of the Federal House of Representatives.
While opining that his second coming would boost legislative governance and galvanise the development of Owan Federal Constituency, the party leaders and faithful urged all other aspirants to shelve their aspirations and step down from the race.
“Dr. (Hon) Abdul Oroh, is a well-known political figure not only in the Owan Federal Constituency but also in Edo State, Nigeria and the world at large. He succeeded in putting the Owan Nation on the global map during his period as a practising journalist and activist for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“At that period which was during the military era, he paid several sacrifices for Nigerians to have civilian rule. He was jailed for daring to agitate for democracy by the military government.
“Also at the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007, our candidate was a voice for the voiceless. He was a good voice for the people of Owan Federal Constituency. He contributed to several landmark bills and reforms in the country.
“His era saw the employment of several of our people in the Federal Civil Service, empowerment of women, youths, infrastructural development in the education, health and other critical sectors were accorded the needed attention and priority”, they added.
They, however, urged the APC members to give the necessary support by coming out enmasse on the day of the primary election to cast their votes and elect Abdul Oroh as their preferred candidate for the election.
Dr. Abdul Oroh, who had earlier paid a visit to the APC leaders in the Federal Constituency in Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area was given a warm reception by the leaders who pledged their support to his aspiration.
Those that also endorsed Dr. Oroh for the election are People With Disabilities (PWDs) led by Mr. Ohimai Adeoye, the Executive of Owan Technicians led by its chairman, Comrade Kasimu Dirisu, Luleha Youths, Owan West led by Mr. Garuba Abdullahi, Follow Who Known Road Grassroots Movement, Owan West led by Mrs. Bose Edgar, among others.
Speaking at the declaration, the frontline aspirant for the Owan Federal Constituency candidate ticket, Hon. Oroh said his decision to join the race was borne out of his desire to contribute to addressing the myriad of social, economic, security, infrastructural and other critical challenges confronting the people of the constituency.
Oroh, who promised to revolutionise and change the narratives and trajectory of legislation in the constituency as well as in the country opined that he is better equipped with the needed expertise and experience to represent the people of the Owan Nation at this moment.
The former commissioner in the Edo State Executive Council during the eight-year administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, also promised to put the Owan Nation people first and at the heart of governance.
While decrying the human and material losses to insecurity by the people of the constituency, Hon. Oroh promised to join forces and collaborate with the state, federal government and other relevant agencies to address the insecurity challenges.
He noted that in the past years, several lives have been lost to the inhuman activities of suspected armed herdsmen.
He added that several hundred million naira had also been lost to the same suspected herdsmen.
According to him, “I am standing before you today the people of the Owan nation to offer myself once again to ask for your support to represent you all at the House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
“I decided to come out, and speak for the people of the Owan people at the House of Representatives because our people are now living in fear. There’s no question that our country is in danger.
“We need a strong voice, a firm voice that will help to mobilise popular opinion in support of the President’s agenda to defeat terrorism, and that voice should come from Owan Federal Constituency, and I think I’m that voice.
“I will be there, by the grace of God to say enough is enough. I will stand with our people, I will defend our people. If we defend our people and our neighbours also defend their people I think there will be peace in the country.
I’m going to support the federal government in the fight against banditry, terrorism, and other internal security challenges that we face and also the Edo state government.
“I will also be looking for support, including in the private sector, if possible, and the international community, to support the state government of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration in executing many of his projects.
“Having worked in the Edo State as a commissioner for eight years, I was in a position to get involved with many networks in agriculture and commerce. We have a lot of mineral resources and all that because we need to create jobs in the state and we need to create jobs across the country.
“We also need to establish firm institutions that will deliver good governance for the people of Nigeria, and I want to be that voice.”
He also promised to support the establishment of State Police by the Federal Government, noting that it would go a long way to address insecurity in our various states, local governments and communities.
Oroh, who also lamented that over the years, the Owan federal constituency had been in total darkness as a result of poor power supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, promised to ensure that he would be a voice to get the authorities in charge of the power sector to live up to their responsibilities.
Some of his other promises to the people of the constituency and Nigerians include defending and respecting the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians, promoting free primary health care for mothers and children, providing social welfare for the elderly aged 60 years and above, and free and compulsory basic and secondary education.
“My other manifestos are to fight for the creation of more Local Government Development Councils (LDCs) in Owan federal constituency and the full control of revenue allocations to local governments from the Federation Account and the State-Local Government joint account.
“To fight corruption, official arrogance, impunity, and courageously demand accountable and transparent governance, fight to consolidate democracy through a restructured federation that is home for all, fight against environmental destruction and for control of natural resources by communities where they are located.
“Align with the Renewed Hope initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all efforts to restore internal security, rule of law, and secure our communities. This includes the creation of State Police Services, reforming agriculture and the rural economy to restore Owan’s lost glory in Cocoa, cashew, oil palm production and other staple crops.
“To promote the establishment of a Special Endowment for sports, civil activities, cultural promotions and digital skills by youths and small business owners among others”, he added.
He urged the people of Owan Federal Constituency to give him their support to fly the party’s flag at the election, assuring that he would do better than the first time and focus on most of the ongoing projects that are federally related to ensure that they are completed or accelerated.