BENIN CITY- Elder Statesman and two-time Governor of Midwest and Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia who clocks 83 years next Thursday September 17, 2015 has said that his undying quest for a credible successor to Governor Oshiomhole as Edo Governor come 2016 is far beyond political and party lines.
Dr. Ogbemudia who disclosed this yesterday during an exclusive chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER on preparations for his 83rd birthday anniversary also spoke extensively on his services to the nation and reasons for setting up The OBSERVER newspapers, his assessment of the Buhari and Oshiomhole –led governments at both federal and state levels, as well as the idea behind reward system for Observer Journalists by his Foundation, the Osaigbovo Ogbemudia Foundation, among others.
Ogbemudia explained that his search for a successor to Comrade Oshiomhole is bolstered by his firm belief that the Governor has done very well thus far, and so, Edo State necessarily needs someone who, beside having the requisite educational and intellectual qualification, must possess enough capacity to withstand the enormous challenges of that office; and then, build on what the Comrade Governor has done, such that the people would be happier for it.
“We are not partisan, we are not working for any political party. The candidate for 2016 Edo Governorship we are searching for is that one who has the requisite qualification.
“There are thousands of people, of Edo origin who are very qualified educationally, and appearance-wise, you are convinced they have it. But our findings have gone beyond that. We are searching for somebody with the capacity and ability to withstand the challenges of the office of governor, and using that office to impact positively on the state and her people,” Dr. Ogbemudia declared.
On the Treasuring Single Account, directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Ogbemudia said there was nothing wrong in the policy, maintaining that as Governor, he tried it and it worked.
According to him, “I think what Buhari wants to achieve by the Treasury Single Account is to keep tab on all the Accounts and be sure what resources flow in and how they are ultilised”.
Details of the exclusive interview on Monday.
Dr. S O Ogbemudia.
