EDO North leader in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anamero Dekeri, has stated the party will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
He stated this during the thanksgiving service to mark the victory of the party in the last governorship election held in the state recently where Godwin Obaseki emerged winner under the banner of the party.
Organised by the party leader in the senatorial zone, Dekeri stated it was also to appreciate the people for giving their total votes that gave the party its victory adding it called for such celebration because there was no loss of lives.
It was predicted there would bloodshed due to the reported violence that followed the electioneering campaigns, as, according to him, “the opposition PDP chieftains, who noted that the APC was penetrating heavily, took to violence including thuggry, victimisation and harassment to scare away the APC supporters.
He stated the intimidation raised the fears that the APC would lose in the zone; but people still trooped out in their numbers to cast their votes for the APC. He stated the victory was significant in the sense that it was the first time in 30 years; an election had been won in the constituency.
However, victory for the party did not come on a platter of gold. Dekeri told The Nation in Edo that it took hard work, consultations and meetings with the people, including the youths, as well as funding to win the balloting.
“People gave their word and promised that because of my intervention and for the interest of the Edo North, they will give their votes to the party”, he said, adding, it is worthy to thank them for what they have done and assure them that the government they supported to power would not let them down.
He nevertheless reassured that the APC-led government would deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots, especially to the Edo North Senatorial District, which he stated gave their overwhelming support to the party during the election, adding that the state needed the likes of Obaseki to shape its economy.
He stated his passion for the less privileged won him the people’s support for the party not just for any political reasons: He said: “I am close to them, I was once in their shoes, I know them and I understand them; that is why whenever I call, they will answer me.”
He emphasised the need to give back to the society. “People need the support of one another to stay alive,” he said, adding that the understanding of life is giving to those who are in need.
“With the support of the people I am where I am today; it is not everybody that would have the opportunity that I have, because of that, I want to believe that we can give back to the society. I love my people and I am out here to help,” he reaffirmed.
As Managing Director, Gulf Treasures Limited, Dekeri had initiated several community projects such as road construction, electricity (including donation of transformers), scholarships, he mentioned adding he had distributed over 500,000 books to both primary and secondary schools in the last five years in the Edo North
Former State Acting Chairman of the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) in Edo, Hon. Haruna Kabiru, described Dekeri as a man of integrity who invests in politics so as to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy, adding that he is not a leader waiting for what to gain.
Haruna, who left his former DPC to join the APC, stated he would work with the Edo North leader because he is a man who lives by example, noting that he has been putting smiles on people’s faces both at the community and local government levels.
“We are going to work with him, he will make a great impact; this leader will take Edo North to a greater height”, he stated. Meanwhile, he urged the state governor to work closely with the likes of the party leader to take the state to a greater height.
Also, the Special Assistant to former Governor Adams Oshomhole, Hon. Ahmed Musa, has stated that it was significant to identify with a person like Dekeri, given his support to the party in the last election; we look forward to seeing him support the party so greatly in the future even as we urge him to play active part in politics.
“We see him as someone who can pilot the affairs of Edo North in the nearest future irrespective of whatever he chooses for”, he also stated.
APC Woman Leader, Edo North Senatorial District, Angelina Egbokhai, described him as a man of wisdom and integrity, a man who according to her knows his left from right, adding that his good leadership led to the victory of the party
A Youth Leader, Abu Moses, in his contribution stated Dekeri is a leader not just in Edo North but in Edo State as whole, adding that he is the man who gave the power and the enthusiasm to win election as far as Etsako was concerned.
“We never expected he could turn things around but when he turned things around the only way we can appreciate him is to say thank you.
“He is an employer of labour, he is the man that when the youth come to see him on any issue, he would listen; he has employed youths of this community and all over Nigeria,” he also stated.
The Nation