From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Edo state, Ken Imansuagbon, on Sunday declared his intention to contest for the gubernatorial seat again in 2016.

If he does contest, it will be his third attempt at the position having contested and lost in 2007 under the flagship of the Action Congress, AC, and in 2012 under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Imansuagbon disclosed his ambition in Benin during a thanksgiving service held at the New Covenant Gospel Church to thank God for sparing his life after a ghastly motor accident he was involved in last November that kept him in a foreign hospital for about two months.

He commended the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for bringing unprecedented development to the state and urged him to continue to do more.

“You have done very well. This is the house of God and I am saying it to you for the very first time, you have done well, but there is room for improvement, there is always space to do more, so we will expect you to do more and if God wishes, you will hand over to me,” he said.

Responding, Oshiomhole who was also present at the service thanked God for Imansuagbon”s miraculous deliverance.

He also described the celebrant as industrious and philanthropic, adding that he is one of the main players and drivers in the Nigerian polity, economy and society.

“Many Nigerians are aware of your contributions in the education sector running not a mushroom school but a school that truly back knowledge in the finest tradition of modern education. But the problem of many of our politicians is that they get so desperate because they do not have any other business address,” he said.

The accident occurred on November 15, 2013 along Ewohimi-Agbor road, Delta State, as Imansuagbon was returning from the burial of the late Ondo state commissioner for Art, Culture/Tourism, Deji Falae.

His vehicle had a head on collusion with a truck belonging to Dangote Group and somersaulted several times causing him to fracture one of his arms. He was immediately rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, for treatment and later flown to the United States.

Immansuangbon returned to the country on Saturday to a rousing welcome from his party members, family and friends.

In his speech, Imansuagbon thanked the people of the State for according him such warm welcome which according to him, was reserved only for heroes.