By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN — THE Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr Onikolease Irabor, weekend, declared his intension to run for the senatorial seat in Edo Central senatorial district in the forthcoming 2011 general elections.
He cited what he described as the disappointing representation of the people of the area in the Senate as reason for his decision.

Mr Irabor, who hailed what he described as the monumental achievements of Governor Adams Oshiomhole so far in the state, disclosed that he will pursue his ambition on the platform of the Action Congress, AC,  adding  that the people of the state, particular Esan Central district, were tired of being represented by “sleeping Senators,” who he said were produced by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Irabor will slug it out with the incumbent Senator in the area, Senator Odion Ugbesia and the former National Woman Leader of the PDP, Herbetta Okonofua, who recently declared her intention to run for the Senate under AC.

While addressing AC members at Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area , Irabor lamented that no Federal Government project had been attracted to  the area by the incumbent PDP Senator, and  that the PDP lack the moral right to criticizing Governor Oshiomhole after they “misled” the people of the state for ten years.”

According to him, “We have not gained anything from the PDP for the years they spent in government in Edo State. Before Oshiomhole came, our children were at home because there were no classrooms and that is why the governor is building modern schools today.

And in Edo Central, at least if you are a Senator, you should once in a while stand up and raise issues that border on your people with the Senate President. But we have never seen that. Each time we watch them, they are sleeping.

“They have never been able to attract any project, only sleeping when important issues are discussed.”

The time is up for the PDP because they will never rig again. All they have achieved here is to build a hotel where they go to spoil our children instead of giving them employment.

I am glad that our people have said enough is enough and that is why I have decided to make my self available,  particularly after our Comrade Governor advised us to come home and fight for our people instead of fighting for others all the time,” he added.