By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A former Vice Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area Council of Edo State, Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero, has declared her intention to Contest the 2024 Edo governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the looming social and economic crisis in Edo State has necessitated her entry into the race; assuring that she has what it takes to arrest the drift and set the state’s ship on a smooth sail once again.
Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero who stated this while making her gubernatorial ambition known to Edo South Senatorial District women at a meeting held in Benin City, noted that “you cannot do one thing same way all the time and expect different results” and called for a paradigm shift in the constitution of the governance structure in the state by giving women the chance to be at the driver’s seat as Governor.
“I wish to appeal that the struggle to liberate Edo State is our next task.
It’s often said that you cannot do the same thing all the time and expect different result. The result we are getting from the governance of Edo State as presently constituted is not encouraging and we must device new ways to govern the state to get better results. We must break from the past in our bid to improve the lot of our people. We must start doing things differently to lift our people out of poverty, because should we continue this way in Edo State, am afraid there would be social and economic crisis that could be difficult to contain.
“And you’re aware that when there’s social and economic crisis, the women bear the brunt.
Now that we are on the verge of these economic upheavals in our state, we must empower our women with our support to take the reins of government in Edo.”
While chronicling the contributions of women in critical moments in Edo and other parts of the world, Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero who holds a P. hD in Exploration Geophysics, said she is the solution to the problems bedeviling Edo State, noting that, “Our history as a people teaches us that in times of dire needs as we are now, that women have always come to rescue us out both at the micro and macro level.
“For instance, Queen Idia came out to rescue Edo kingdom at such a critical time similar to where we are now.
The British economy was on the downhill, heading for collapse when Margret Thatcher was drafted in as Prime Minister and she stabilised the economy and restored the country back to relevance.
“Our women can replicate that feat here if we’re truly united, focused and determined that one of us women should be elected Governor of Edo State.
We have the numerical strength to do that during the 2024 governorship election. All we need is to organise ourselves and commit ourselves to ensuring that we are not intimidated in our choice of a woman as our preferred governorship candidate and eventually the elected governor.
“My mothers and sisters, let us give women a chance. Let a woman be our Governor to turn Edo State around.
It is on this premise that I, Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero, am offering myself to contest the Edo State 2024 governorship election under our party, APC.
“I want you all to give me your support because it’s only a woman who can manage our resources prudently, eliminate waste to ensure the dividends of democracy go round everyone in the state.
“I wish to assure you that am prepared for this race, am not deterred and your support for me will intimidate my opponents”, she assured.
Responding, the APC Edo South Senatorial woman leader, Hon. Mrs. Itohan Osahon urged Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero to carry on her consultations with diligence, pointing out that the Senatorial women executive will also receive other governorship aspirants and urged her not to be bothered by such visits.
She also prayed for the success of Hon. Ekhoragbon-Ero in her gubernatorial bid.
Sharing the position of Edo State market women, the New Benin Market women leader, Mrs Jane Imasogie who led market women to the meeting in solidarity with Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero pointed out that the market women decided to accompany her on the visit to demonstrate their readiness to support her noting that their support cut across party line in the state.
Also speaking, former chairperson of the National Council of Women Society, Edo State, Dr. (Mrs) Omoloru Aigbokhai appealed to APC women to be united in their support for Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon who she said has demonstrated courage in whatever she sets out to do adding that she has demonstrated that she’s a true party woman when she resigned her position as Vice Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Council when she was being forced to move to another party.