Edo 2024: Festivities Abound at Ighodalo’s Manchester Diaspora Gathering

By: Nwakaji Martins

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, was welcomed in Manchester, England, on Wednesday with a lively reception featuring cultural dances as part of his outreach to the Edo Diaspora in Europe.
This tour, commencing on Monday, June 24 in Reggio Emilia, Italy, will also include visits to London, Hamburg, and Nuremberg.
The event in Manchester, held at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, was attended by a record number of people.
Accompanied by his wife, Ifeyinwa, his running mate Barrister Osarodion Ogie, the Director-General of the Edo PDP Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and other aides, Ighodalo’s presentations were met with enthusiastic applause and approval from the audience.
Ighodalo elaborated extensively on his “Pathway to Prosperity for All”Manifesto, which he unveiled earlier in the week. He expressed his confidence in leading Edo State towards becoming a first-world sub-national entity in Nigeria with the support of its citizens.

“I envision a pathway to prosperity for all in Edo State, and I am confident it can be achieved. We have the necessary resources, both human and natural, to transform Edo State into a first-world sub-national. It is feasible,” he conveyed, eliciting intermittent applause and cheers from the attendees.
During the question and answer session, his running mate, Ogie, who currently serves as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), joined him on stage to address inquiries from the enthusiastic audience. Nearly every question was prefaced with words of support and endorsement of Ighodalo’s aspirations and vision for the state.

When asked about his stance on traditional institutions in the state, Ighodalo emphasized that his administration, if elected, would treat traditional rulers and institutions with the utmost respect they deserve. He assured that under his leadership, nothing would tarnish or disrespect these esteemed traditional institutions. This response was met with thunderous applause throughout the venue.
Earlier, Dr. Alfred Ajayi Ejiya, President of the Esan Community in Manchester (ECM) and Chairman of the Manchester Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Asue Ighodalo expressed his confidence that the evening’s event would be highly successful, which indeed it was.

Ighodalo’s next stop is London, England, for another engagement on Thursday, June 27.
The London event is expected to draw a large crowd of Edo indigenes residing in the United Kingdom, eager to hear Dr. Ighodalo’s plans for the state. With each gathering, his message of prosperity and development resonates strongly, fueling hope and excitement among the diaspora community. The momentum and support behind his campaign continue to grow as he travels across Europe, spreading his vision for a brighter future for Edo State.
The diaspora community eagerly awaits Dr. Ighodalo’s arrival in London for the upcoming event on Thursday, June 27. The anticipation is high as Edo indigenes residing in the United Kingdom are keen to hear his plans for the state. Dr. Ighodalo’s message of prosperity and development resonates strongly with each gathering, fueling hope and excitement among the diaspora community. As he travels across Europe, spreading his vision for a brighter future for Edo State, the momentum and support behind his campaign continue to grow.