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.

“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.