By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Barr. Kenneth Imasuangbon, has described the late member of the House of Representatives, Hon Jude Ise-Idehen, as a detribalised Nigerian whose death would be missed by Edo people.
Hon Ise-Idehen, who was the lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor federal constituency, died last week after a brief illness.
Barr. Imasuangbon, in a tribute to the late lawmaker, said the late lawmaker was a politician who always believed in party supremacy.
Imasuangbon stated that late Ise-Idehen used to relate with everyone irrespective of tribe or political affiliations.
He said the death of Ise-Idehen would be highly felt by his constituents due to the robust interventional projects he has attracted in the last three years.
The former governorship aspirant said support for the PDP has grown in Ikpoba-okha and Egor local government areas largely due to activities of Ise-Idehen.
According to him, “Late Jude was the only Edo person outside Samson Osagie who has patronised Pacesetters Schools. He was a detribalised Nigerian. Our paths first crossed as parents of Pacesetters. He was a good father, a good husband. He chose Pacesetters even when he was in another political party. He opted to patronize me irrespective of political affiliations.
“His death is a big loss to Edo. He was loved by both the powerful and the masses.
“In any political party Jude belonged to, he was always loyal to the party and adhered to the party’s principle. We saw how he stood and fought for the stability of his former party, the defunct ACN and when he joined the PDP, he ensured victory for the party in both Ikpoba-okha and Egor.
“In the last three years, Jude has changed the narratives of representative democracy. There are lots of testimonies from his constituents. He empowered women, artisans, doled out scholarships and provided skill acquisition centres. Our party, the PDP, became the beautiful bride in that constituency.”