A governorship aspirant in the Edo State 2024 governorship election, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, has reportedly hired an interpreter to announced his intention to his kinsmen at a political ward in Ewohimi, Esan South East local government area of the State.
This came, after a video recording of the aspirant meeting with his kinsmen surfaced on the internet and other social media platforms.
In the five minutes nine seconds video, Ighodalo who is seeking the nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke in English language soliciting the support of the people while an interpreter translated in Esan dialect.
Ighodalo said in the video: “I want us to stand as one. If we stand as one, the whole of Esan will take us seriously and we will be the pride Edo state.
“I want every body to go and register so that we can all vote as one body for the goodness and greatness of our land.
“You must have water, road, work and light. By the grace of all mighty, if we Ewohimi get this governorship, we will get everything, and Edo state will be the greatest State in Africa.”
The governorship aspirant is the Chairman of Sterling Bank, Director Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Chairman, – Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
The development has however drew divided opinions among netizens, with many criticising the engagement of interpreter to talk to one’s kinsmen, even as they added that it’s a sigh of age-long disconnect from the people.
“I bet, this is the first time he is coming home. He was brought by person in government House. He does not even know the road to Ewohimwin,” Divine Greatiess wrote on his Facebook page.
Others who defended the action however said local language will not bring any investments, adding that focus should be on the progress of the state.
“The official acceptable and most proficient language of communication in Edo is English. Stop the unnecessary brouhaha,” Osagie Steven also wrote on his Facebook page.
