APC Leaders Back Osawaru’s Second Term Bid, Cite Experience.

 

The member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunwonde Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Billy Osawaru, on Friday has expressed confidence that he will secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress to contest for a second term, citing his performance in office and the strong backing of leaders in his constituency.

Osawaru, in a chat in Benin, said the feedback he has received from constituents has been largely positive, noting that the encouragement from the people has strengthened his resolve to seek another term in the National Assembly.

He said, “I am very confident because I have delivered based on the mandate given to me by the very good people of Orhionmwon/Uhunwonde. From their feedback, I feel very good knowing that a lot of it is positive and I get encouragement from my people.”

The lawmaker explained that the federal constituency operates a unique political understanding that allows each of the two local government areas, Orhionmwon and Uhunwonde, to hold the seat for two consecutive terms before it rotates.

According to him, the arrangement is unwritten, and it has been respected by stakeholders since 1999.

“Uhunwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency is very unique when it comes to representation. We have an agreement, though unwritten, that one local government will run two terms of four years before it goes to the other local government, and this time it has come to Uhunwonde.”

He noted that the understanding among leaders has always been that one person should complete the two-term cycle to gain the experience required to deliver effectively. 

“They believe you need two terms to have the requisite experience to deliver maximally for the constituency,” he said, adding that his return bid is consistent with that long-standing arrangement.

He said leaders of the constituency have openly supported his second-term ambition, expressing confidence that the experience he has gained in his first term will enable him to do more for the people.

 “This is my first term and I am going back for my second term, which the leaders have come out to bless and encourage because they believe, considering what I have done in my first term, I will even do better with the experience I have gathered,” he added.

Reacting to claims by some aspirants that certain leaders in the constituency are not backing him, the lawmaker dismissed the allegation as typical political rhetoric. 

“Oppositions will always give you excuses why they are in the race. They talk about some leaders, but they really cannot show you who those leaders are. Anytime I talk to the leaders, they are enthusiastic and excited. I just had a meeting with them and the feedback was very good.” 

He added that while it may be impossible to secure total support from everyone, he remains confident that both leaders and the grassroots are largely supportive of his second-term bid