A video clip of the aspirant meeting with his kinsmen surfaced on the internet and other social media platforms on Sunday.
In the few seconds video, Ighodalo who is seeking the nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party, spoke in English Language, soliciting the support of the people while an interpreter translated to Esan Language.
Ighodalo said in the video, “I want us to stand as one. If we stand as one, the whole of Esan will take us seriously and we will be the pride of Edo State.
“I want everybody to go and register so that we can all vote as one body for the goodness and greatness of our land.
“You must have water, road, jobs and light. By the grace of Almighty, if we get this governorship, we will get everything, and Edo State will be the greatest state in Africa.”
The governorship aspirant is the Chairman of Sterling Bank, Director, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and Chairman, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
The development, has, however, drawn divided opinions among netizens, with many criticising the engagement of an interpreter to talk to one’s kinsmen, even as they added that it’s a sign of age-long disconnect from the people.
“I bet, this is the first time he is coming home. He was brought by persons in the Government House. He does not even know the road to Ewohimi,” Divine Greatiess wrote on his Facebook page.
Others, however, came to Ighodalo’s defence saying local language would not bring investments, adding that the focus should be on the progress he can bring to the state.
“The official acceptable and most proficient language of communication in Edo is English. Stop the unnecessary brouhaha,” Osagie Steven also wrote on his Facebook.
