Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, according to reliable information, has reluctantly succumbed to serious pressure from Governor Adams Oshiomhole to render substantial assistance in furtherance of the governorship ambition of Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the APC.
Towards this end, Alhaji Dangote, the biggest rice merchant in Nigeria, is expected to donate to the APC, in the next few days, tens of thousands of bags of rice which are to be distributed to Edo voters as a kind of bribe before the rescheduled Edo State governorship election which holds on September 28.
It is note worthy that rice, which is the commonest staple food in Nigeria, has literally gone out of the reach of the ordinary man, with the price rising from about seven thousand naira a bag to about twenty-two thousand naira since the APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took over power.
According to source, Alhaji Dangote had expressed reservation about investing more money running into billions of naira as requested by Oshiomhole into the Edo APC governorship project. The reliable source informed that Dangote had pointed out to Oshiomhole that intelligence at his disposal indicated that the PDP is by far the favourite party among the Edo electorate. He is said to have drawn the governor’s attention to the fact that the postponement of the election from September 10 was because the APC was certain it would have lost the election on that day. However, Dangote is said to have shifted ground when Oshiomhole pleaded that his contribution will go a long way in redirecting the minds of Edo people. Gov Adams Oshiomhole rejected suggestions that he (Adams) was the problem but claimed that what they were experiencing was transferred aggression to the APC in the state because of the APC led federal government’s inability to arrest the hunger that has crept into every home. Oshiomhole assured Dangote that he knows how to “get” Edo voters as he has set the machinery in motion to make sure that the APC wins.
Dangote, who is said to be a friend to Oshiomhole and a business associate of Godwin Obaseki, finally decided to render assistance to the APC who is relying on cash and gifts to entice voters.
Many Edolites are of the view that Dangote should steer clear of Edo Politics as they wonder his interest considering his non involvement in the politics of his home state Kano.
A group of market women at Ewu, Ekpoma, Ilushi, Uhunmora, Jattu, Agbado, Ekiosa, New Benin, Edaiken and Oba markets who spoke with Urhokpota Reporters Friday said that they were ready to collect the rice when Dangote and Oshiomhole brings them but that they will still vote for PDP.
While Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki assume they can buy Edo votes, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and PDP are out earning it!
