Edo 2024: I Have Come Back Home, Says Frank Ilaboya
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Former council chairman of Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Frank Ilaboya, has said that he is so happy to have returned to the All Progressives Congress having left for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly he and seven others were officially received into the APC in Benin City.
Mr. Ilaboya who spoke eloquently about the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and how he has helped his political career, said it will not be difficult to honour the invitation of such a person if he calls someone.
“I started my chairmanship as an APC member. We have to go to PDP for certain reasons and now, we are back home. Honestly, I am very excited. Like I keep telling everybody, where I am today, God used Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to put me where I am today, politically.
“Even as FA chairman, Edo State, it was through Oshiomhole. As chairman local government, it was through Oshiomhole.
“So, naturally, when there is an opportunity for me to go back home, I didn’t find it difficult to think about it because it is like going back home.
“Indeed, I am actually back home and I am so excited about it. I am happy that eight of us have taken up that challenge.
“You know it is always very difficult but it worth it because when you have a leader that is very compassionate and thinks about your future and welfare, you don’t have to think twice for you to take this kind of decision”, Ilaboya said.
The former council boss said with team work and the help of the caliber of persons in APC in his local government, winning the local government will be much easier.
“The last election, the second tenure that Obaseki is serving now, it is only Owan West in Edo North that he won out of the local governments and I was the chairman that time and it gives me a less pressure to be able to do that.
“It was not a one man’s job but a collective efforts and we are hoping that the same God that gave us that direction that time, the same God that gave us the joy that time, will still give us the joy.
“You know that this is local. It is like a footballer, once you know how to play football like Messi, it doesn’t matter whether you are in La Liga or somewhere else, you will still score goals.
“Whatever it is, the most important thing is that we are going to do what we are known for. We will do our best because it is not just all about me.
“You know, I have our great leaders in Owan West, that is Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, we are also having another bigwig joining us, Deacon Patrick Giwa, the immediate Clerk of the national assembly.
“We also have others and with these caliber of people, I don’t see why our job will not be made much easier”, Ilaboya added.