The oracle has spoken and die is cast. The Chairman of the Edo State Economy and Strategy team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, early hours of Sunday was declared the winner of the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held over the weekend. His victory brings to an end months, days of speculations, and keen contest. He was declared winner of the keenly contested primary by the Chairman of the Committee on the Conduct of the APC Primary and Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, as he polled 1,618 votes.
?It is nice that other aspirants include the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu; a former governor, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, and a former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi,
Maj-Gen Charles Airhiavbere (retd.), Kenneth Imasuagbon, Peter Esele, ?Tina Agbarha, Blessing Agbomere, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, Professor Ebegue Amadasun and Austin Emuan equally put up a good fight. The only female aspirant in the primary, Agbarha, had a total of three votes.
I am glad with the admonition of Masari who urged the aspirants, their agents and the delegates to see the primary as a family affair, as there would be no “loser”. Now that we have a candidate for the September governorship election, this is the time for all of us to rally round Obaseki and give our party the well-deserved victory come September.
It is also important to emphasise that all those who aspired along with Godwin Obaseki must now put all that transpired before Saturday and forge a united front to give the party victory. There is no victor, no vanquished. All the other eleven aspirants and the party are winners.
It is important that no one should consider any action that would be inimical to the chances of our party in the upcoming governorship election. There should be no resort to court cases or decamping. Experience has shown that those who decamp from ruling party that is popular end up regretting their actions and it is not my prayer or that of any one in Edo that any of our party man or woman take a decision that would be regretted.
What is important is the process that produced Obaseki. It was open, free and fair. There was assurances and guarantee of justice, fairness and equity. There were speculations and accusations of purchase of voter cards and all such stories. But one point is clear-all aspirants spent money to woo the delegates and the best among all has emerged. Let us all support him to win the governorship election.
Edo people knows that the PDP cannot produce Oshiomhole’s successor because of the way the PDP destroyed Edo State for ten years and how they destroyed Nigeria for 16 horrendous years. Today, everybody is disgusted with the PDP particularly because of how they siphoned all the monies that would have been enough to develop the country for their selfish ends through the mind boggling corruption that are now being unearthed daily by the Buhari administration. So, Edo people are united that the PDP cannot produce Oshiomhole’s successor.
It is, therefore, important for Edo people to understand where we are coming from before casting their votes come September. We need someone who will build on the successes of Oshiomhole, not someone who will come and destroy all his lofty legacies. Obaseki represents such a person.
Adams Oshiomhole touched all sectors of the state since assumption of office. From roads to education to health. Oshiomhole met one state university, he is leaving behind three universities for Edo people. It means the future of our children seeking admissions into the universities are assured and Obaseki would build on this given his private sector background.
In the area of infrastructural development, Oshiomhole made Edo people proud, building the best of roads in the face of dwindling financial resources. So many urban roads in the three senatorial districts have been reconstructed by Oshiomhole and this is an area that Obaseki would work more.
Civil Servants are having the best of times as Edo government is not owing any of its workers. They now have improved salaries and promotions wheras in other 27 states of the federation, their government is as good as collapsed as they cannot pay salaries of workers, including oil producing states of the Niger Delta. This is why an Obaseki is the best for Edo people to continue from where Oshiomhole would let off in September.
There is no doubt that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has upped the stakes for the PDP jostling to take over from him at the completion of his tenure. It is also heartwarming that the same Oshiomhole is playing a strong determining role as to who succeeds him. What people are keen to see is a man with the charisma, wisdom, courage, determination, expertise and selflessness to serve as a servant-leader. A man who would build on the solid foundation laid by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and not those who want to make money for themselves and steal the state blind as we have in the PDP.
Interestingly, Edo people are today a lot more sophisticated, knowledgeable and politically conscious than they were in the past years, thanks to the power of communication and our rich tradition and cultural heritage. They are aware of the electoral promises made by the two parties that have served them since 1999 when we returned to democratic rule. They know the party that deceived and fooled them and they know the one that made a promise of development and kept it, that is the APC and they will remain with us.
We must all now begin our work in our different capacities as party men and women to give Obaseki total victory. Irrespective of whoever the Peoples Democratic Party would throw up as their candidate, we know that Edo is an APC state. The PDP is not on ground and would not be allowed any chance in Edo State.
Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State
