By Usman Aliyu
Sen. Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, on Saturday met with elders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo South, seeking their support for his re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a consultation meeting in Benin, Imasuen said his return to the Senate was crucial for Edo South to retain its ranking status and strengthen its voice in national decision-making.
The senator stressed that experience and seniority were critical to legislative influence and constituency development.
He said his emergence in 2023 was a product of divine grace, noting that many had doubted his chances at the time.
“Nobody gave us a chance. There was even a school of thought that said I did not campaign, that I stayed at home and everybody voted for me. I agree.
“It does not just happen. It must be by the grace of God. The God that started this journey will surely finish it,” he said.
Imasuen assured stakeholders that if re-elected, he would prioritise consensus-building, negotiation and development over political confrontation.
“I will be a builder and not a warrior. I will negotiate; I will not confront. I will be a partner in progress and a consensus builder. That I promise you,” he said.
He explained that ranking in the Senate played a decisive role in access to strategic committees, legislative leverage and the ability to attract federal projects.
“Many governors, ministers and senators are there. Nobody goes there to lord it over anybody.
“Ranking has a lot to do with either giving you a good committee or having leverage within the Senate.
“If we lose it now, we go back again to lamentation.
“The only way to address this is to ensure that Edo South also has a ranking senator who can speak when his colleagues are speaking,” he said.
According to him, his 30 months in the Red Chamber have been guided by a vision of human capital development and quality representation.
He said his interventions had focused on education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, rural infrastructure, solar street lighting and employment opportunities for graduates across the district.
“We have facilitated scholarships for students across the district and are set to commence renovation and equipping of selected public schools,” he said.
Imasuen added that his office had organised vocational and skills acquisition programmes in ICT, tailoring, welding, agriculture, and bag and shoe making.
“Dignity comes with the ability of a man or woman to earn,” he said.
On healthcare, the senator said his office had extended medical services to communities through maternal healthcare support and the revival of traditional birth attendants.
He said this was done under the supervision of the State Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
“To reduce maternal mortality, we revived the time-tested role of traditional birth attendants and equipped them to provide prenatal and antenatal services for women who cannot access formal health centres,” he said.
He also highlighted achievements in road projects, empowerment programmes and job creation across the constituency.
On legislation, Imasuen noted that his role as Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, placed him in a strategic position to address public grievances and defend citizens’ rights.
He cited his sponsorship of key bills, including the Federal College of Education, Abudu Bill and the Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, aimed at improving education and healthcare delivery.
The senator urged APC leaders in Edo South to prioritise unity and collective progress over internal divisions, warning that disunity could undermine the district’s chances of securing strategic federal advantages.
“Our history demands more than politics. It demands unity. We must reject division and hate speech.
“Let us forget what divides us and focus on what benefits our people. If we remain divided, we cannot achieve anything.
“Send me again to the Red Chamber. Becoming a ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will put me in a better position to serve our people more effectively than I have done,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AUO/VE
Edited by Victor Adeoti
