A former aspirant of the Labour Party in the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, Kenneth Imasuagbon, on Wednesday joined the African Democratic Party, accompanied by his supporters.
Imasuagbon also picked up the party membership card in Benin after his admission into the party.
Popularly called the ‘Rice Man’, Imasuagbon had previously contested for the governorship seat under the Peoples Democratic Party and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, now known as the All Progressives Congress. He lost the Labour Party ticket to Olumide Akpata in 2024.
However, he said he would continue to look at the party that was working for genuine change in the country and Edo State.
Nigeria from its present pitiable state. I saw the Labour Party as a rescuer, but unfortunately it turned out to be a sham. The ADC is in tandem with his belief as a person who has the common man at heart.
“I have found an alternative. I have found a credible vehicle. An alternative that is genuinely for change. An alternative that wants to reduce the price of food. An alternative that loves the common man. An alternative that loves the Okada rider. An alternative that loves the widow. An alternative that loves the students. That alternative is ADC.
“Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to join the moving train. We have decided today to rescue our dear country.
This is the vehicle. There is no other one.”
Imasuagbon lamented that due to the harsh economic conditions in the country, he can no longer distribute rice to Edo people, particularly the less privileged, as he used to do during Christmas.
“I’m tired, very tired that a bag of rice that was sold ₦7,500 some years ago is now being sold for over ₦100,000. I can no longer buy rice to share with the poor people and widows of Edo State. I’m really tired.
“I’m tired because I can no longer buy fuel. Some years ago, fuel was ₦65 per litre, today it is almost a ₦1000. Nigerians are tired. We are concerned that our children will graduate but be unable to find jobs.
“We are all Nigerians. Nobody can threaten anybody. We want to make Nigeria and Edo better than we met them. I am not satisfied with the poverty in the land. I am calling on all Nigerians to join in. I am ready to lead the battle for change.”
Earlier, the state party chairman, Kennedy Odion, described Imasuagbon as a man of the people. He said the ADC, being a moving train, has provided a platform for every Nigerian with the aim of rescuing the country.
Odion, who said the road to rescue Nigeria may be rough but shall surely be a reality, asserted that Nigerians will soon experience a massive exodus to the party.
