4+4 Torgba_ : The New Street Anthem as Edo Women Hit the Streets for Obaseki

_

By Ijeoma Umeh

Tuesday, September 1 was a milestone in the build up of campaigns for the reelection bid of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy,  Comrade Philip Shaibu. 

Edo women, under the aegis of the People's Democratic Party(PDP) Women Wing turned out in their numbers in arrays of the party's colours and insignia and hit the streets of Benin City, jubilating, dancing and pulling crowds of enthusiasts, including commuters and traders who kept chanting the now popular street slogan, 4+4 Torgba, translated from the Benin language to mean eight year term must be complete  and pumping their fingers in the air to reemphasize the number of terms they said, through their votes, the Governor will complete his term in office. 

From the Aiguobasimwin Campaign office where the campaign train took off and progressed to Ekiosa or Osa Market at 2nd East Circular Road,  to Upper Sakponba and its commercial axis, traders literally abandoned their wares to join in the campaign, dancing to a mix of scintillating campaign vibes from the loudspeakers of Edo Deejays Movement for Obaseki, as coordinated by Scott Ogunseri, DJ MOG, an SSA to the Governor. 

Commuters blared their vehicle horns, did maverick gyrations with their vehicles to show support and put out their hands from car windows,  pumping fists of the 4+4 signs in the air, and chanting the solidarity songs as they drove along. 

Female traders beseeched reporters on the campaign train, all too eager to lend their voices in singing the praise of the governor and his Deputy, recounting the achievements of the administration in the last four years and stating with palpable excitement why they thought it important for such achievements to be sustained through continuity in governance.  
"The governor has performed well, even beyond our expectations in terms of the dividends of democracy that he has brought to the Edo people, and considering the Edo state that was left to him to oversee. Despite the setbacks he came out strong and turned things around. I am a pensioner. I must tell you, pensioners in Edo state had hitherto not had it this good. We can now sleep well, knowing that our next meal is assured through prompt payment of pensions and gratuities." says Priscillia Aghedo to Aghedo. 

On her part, Madam Kobi Eghe, a trader at Ekiosa  stated that with prompt payment of workers salaries before the end of each month, traders are equally smiling because the economic pressure felt by inconsistent salary payment has reduced and market is booming.  

Deaconess Orhue, also a trader, raised her hands in the sky and prayed for the governor's team to win.  "Obaseki  is a winner any day. He has a pure heart. Edo state enjoys good education, good roads, prompt salary payment, name them, he has done it all, all he needs now is to put finishing touches to the good work he has started so that our joy may be full. We are praying for him to win."

Navigating around huge crowds that had gathered in solidarity was not easy for the campaign train as it went through Third East Circular, burst out at Sakponba Road, moved to Akpakpava,  and glided around the King's Square where youths danced in frenzy, all chanting _4+4 Torgba!_
A young boy of 9 years of age, by name Henry ran out of his mother's lock up stall and joined other young children in chanting the street anthem, Torgba! A passerby,  commenting about the young dancers said, "They know too well that their future is assured under Governor Godwin Obaseki, why won't they rejoice?" He asked rhetorically. 
At the commercial hub of Akpakpava, a middle aged man stood in front of his business premises, his fists in the air and danced throughout the 25 to 30 minutes that the campaign around that axis lasted. 
This was at the same time that 6-year old migrant Basirat put her face before the camera and did the Torgba sign, smiling heartily to the admiration of many who gave her parting gifts. 

Wherever the campaign train berthed, the responses were the same, the support was overwhelming, and the story of rebirth for Edo state resonated: people chanted 4+4 Torgba,  it must be complete!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EDO 2024:- Esan people must look beyond personal interest to make the "Esan Agenda" fly.

Image
  There is every indication that the unguarded spirited moves in certain quarters, to present a common candidate for Edo Central, to succeed the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, come 2024 Governorship Election, will spell doom for the entire Esan Agenda. This is so because the emerging political reality or permutations no longer favour featuring an Esan indigene to queue behind Governor Goodwin Obaseki, from outside his direct influence.  The point being made here is that it is no longer tenable for political godfathers to force their candidates on the people of Edo State, given the way and manner the current Edo State Governor was able to roll back the political clock that eventually resulted in his favour. In succeeding to demystify the once potent political influence of the godfathers in Edo State, Governor Goodwin Obaseki has historically set an interesting precedent. This is the fact of the matter: no known political godfathers in Edo State can...
Read more

Edo 2024: Crisis Brew in Edo APC Over Oshiomhole's Endoresement of Preferred Candidate

Image
The All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State may be heading into the September 21, 2024 Governorship election as a divided party, if the romours of imposition of Mr. Dennis Idahosa as his preferred candidate is true. What started as rumour few weeks ago has gained traction across the state, with reports of a meeting Senator Adams Oshiomhole allegedly held with two of his former Commissioners, Mr. Kassim Afegbua and Mr. Mika Amanokha in company of Mr. Dennis Idahosa.  Oshiomhole is said to have urged both former Commissioners to spread the message to APC chairmen across the 18 Local Government Areas.  One of the local chairmen in Edo North confirmed that he has been instructed to call a meeting of leaders to pass the message that President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President, Kashim Shettima as well as the National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have all blessed Idahosa for the ticket.  However, other aspirant, like Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gen Charles Airhi...
Read more

NAWOJ Demand justice for her member assaulted by Ex_husband

Image
. The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has noted with concern, the alarming spikes in the cases of physical and domestic violence against women by their spouses. The ugly development is becoming worrisome, reprehensible, dastardly thus, totally unacceptable . It is particularly worrisome to note that in the month of August 2022 alone, there were three documented cases of wife battery that inflicted serious physical injuries, mental torture, dehumanised sanctity and dignity of victims by their husbands in the country. One of the sad cases, is confirmed dead from the alleged  unfortunate violence. In a statement signed by the national president Comrade Ladi Bala, the cases include that of a Local Government Transition Committee chairman of Nnewi North of Anambra State, who is being accused of committing violence against his wife that  led to her untimely death. Thankfully, the culprit has been suspended from office by the  Anambra State governor ...
Read more