DistantNews

Challenges can’t deter my ambition – Edo Assembly aspirant

From The Punch · (4m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Onaghise Daniel-Ero, an aspirant for the Edo State House of Assembly ticket, has declared his intention to contest for the Oredo West seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
  • Daniel-Ero aims to overcome challenges faced in his previous bid for the Oredo Local Government chairmanship in 2023 under the Labour Party.
  • He expressed confidence in securing the APC ticket and believes in the party's internal democracy, citing President Tinubu's stance on direct contests.

In the bustling political arena of Edo State, Onaghise Daniel-Ero is making a determined bid for the House of Assembly ticket for Oredo West, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC). His declaration is more than just an announcement of ambition; it's a testament to resilience. Daniel-Ero is undeterred by the setbacks he encountered in the 2023 chairmanship election for Oredo Local Government under the Labour Party, where he faced issues including not being able to vote and questioning the election's outcome.

I am contesting because I can’t give up because of the challenges I had when I contested for the chairmanship position in 2023 under the Labour Party. I have to keep pushing, we have people that contested elections several times before winning and they were able to make an impact.

— Onaghise Daniel-EroExplaining his motivation to contest for the Edo State House of Assembly ticket despite past electoral difficulties.

Daniel-Ero's resolve is palpable. He articulates a philosophy of perseverance, drawing inspiration from individuals who have contested multiple times before achieving electoral success. His conviction is rooted in the belief that with the support of his people and a clear vision, he can overcome obstacles. This determination is particularly significant in the Nigerian political context, where loyalty, grassroots support, and navigating party structures are paramount. His focus is on serving the people with humility and purpose, ensuring that his political dream does not falter.

As long as I have people behind me and I have the conviction that it will get to a time I will emerge without no hiccups, I will keep pushing. I will like to work for the people, serve them with humility and purpose. There is no way I would allow that dream to die.

— Onaghise Daniel-EroExpressing his determination to pursue his political ambition and serve the constituents.

Furthermore, Daniel-Ero's confidence in securing the APC ticket is bolstered by President Bola Tinubu's recent directive encouraging aspirants to contest directly if consensus fails. This statement from the President resonates deeply, suggesting a commitment to a level playing field within the party. For Daniel-Ero, this means that internal party politics and engaging with party members and leaders at the local level are key. He understands that "all politics are local" and believes that if his message and vision resonate, he has a strong chance of winning, whether through consensus or a direct contest. His ambition is a clear signal of the dynamic and often personal nature of political pursuits in Nigeria.

The system within the party is designed for all going by what the President Tinubu said recently that all aspirants should go to the field if consensus fails. It means there is no special aspirant.

— Onaghise Daniel-EroHighlighting his confidence in the APC's internal processes and President Tinubu's directive on direct contests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.