Osifo joins House of Reps race for Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency

A former Commissioner and Edo State House of Assembly elect, Dr. Washington Osarenren Osifo has indicated his interest to run for the House of Representatives seat, Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.

Dr. Osifo who disclosed this while chatting with Edo Advocate Correspondent in his residence in Benin, Edo State, said he is offering himself for service considering his antecedents, character and content to change the narrative of his constituents for good.

“The pertinent question you have to first ask yourself is if you have the content, character and understanding of your people and their needs. Whatever is done in the public office goes ahead of you. That your office was made manifest in development is enough reason for you to offer yourself. I will never sell my people to buy my future. Even in the face of high temptation, I have rejected the money and said the right thing should be done. I am confident that by the grace of God, I will be in Abuja. God searches the intent of every man”.

Going further, Dr. Osifo said, “Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode rank tall in the less developed local governments in Edo state. They are the only local governments that do not have a banking facility. The highest reserve of oil is in Orhionmwon and with the presence of oil companies there is yet no financial institution. The money is taken out to develop other places. Enough is enough, I have to come into the ring to change the narrative. It is sad that the House of Assembly at a time voted against Judiciary and Local government autonomy. They voted against themselves because they were playing the script of their Governors. There must be freedom of the Judiciary and Local government if there must be good government. I came into the ring to correct this, institutions are stronger than individuals.

Irrespective of my affiliations with you I cannot sacrifice the pains of my people because I want to be the governor’s friend. If you’re an enemy of my people by reason of your policies, then you can’t be my friend. I want to be remembered for what I did. I bring in passion, the fear and the grace of God, the ability and knowledge”

On the minority status of the State House of Assembly, Dr. Osifo averred that it was an aberration and a breach of the Constitution for them who were duly elected by their constituencies to represent them not to be sworn in noting that it simply means that those constituents do not exist because their voice is not being heard.

The Federal House of Representatives hopeful commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for their proactiveness in amending the electoral bill noting that it will strengthen the electoral process in Nigeria.

He urged the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to be courageous enough to allow the vote of the people to count which will dovetail into accountability.

Dr. Osifo advised the electorate to desist from vote-selling saying that ” money will not guarantee your future. It is only in good content that guarantees security, food, SMEs, employment, etc. When all this are guaranteed, life expectancy level will rise and when it does poverty level will drop”, he enthused.