BENIN CITY- The former Deputy Governor of Edo State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Lucky Imasuen has asserted that the support of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the Chairman of the state Economic Team, Godwin Obaseki does not invalidate the party’s free and fair gubernatorial primary in the state.
Making the statement while speaking with newsmen in Benin city yesterday,Mr Imasuen, who noted that Governor Oshiomhole has turned Edo state into a construction site, described the governor as a democrat that will allow all the aspirants to buy forms.
The APC Chieftain spoke further, “You recall that last year I joined APC because of the transformation that is going on. You see some days ago, I had the opportunity of going round with him on the project inspection in Benin and its environs. It is amazing what the Governor has done under a very difficult circumstance in Nigeria. It is amazing that Upper Lawani Road, all adjoining roads to Upper Mission and all other roads linking Upper Lawani road with other roads into the area have walk-ways. Is it the Upper Mission area? We even went to the on-going 2nd East Circular Road dualisation project.
On my own, I have gone to the Teacher’s House, where I see the wonderful work, including the drainage that is going one there.It is mind boggling”.
“Personally I am impressed and I am pretty sure the people of Edo State should be impressed and in Ogida area, houses there were appreciated in rent-value. If you will recall five, six years ago those houses were abandoned because of that water logged area. But right now not only that the roads were done. The road is already taken care of, the street lights are up and not stopping at that, the Governor had continued to go towards OviaRiver developing that area. So personally I am very impressed with his performance.
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Not only that the Governor is paying salaries, he had turned most areas in Benin City and its environs into a construction zone. So I tell those close to him what we all own him , as a people, is to pray for him to God to give him good healthy and grant him wisdom and the ability to continue at this pace come rain come shine until the end of his term.”
On Oshiomhole’s successor, Lucky Imasuen said, “democracy does not exclude Adams Oshiomhole. As an individual. Adams Oshiomhole has the right to suggest to his people or to those who are close to him on an individual, for whatever reason, to take over from him. So Adams Oshiomhole has given his individual opinion. He is like a father who has several children with equal love for all of them but has only one job to be done and he will give it to the child that he knows will do the job very well.” .
“Adams Oshiomhole is not saying that he has an anointed candidate and therefore there is no need for primary. No that is not the issue. The normal process is still on-going. People are allowed and they are told to collect forms. Those who want to contest for the position of governor and they are free just as they are doing. We were at a campaign at Irrua yesterday (Sunday). Airhiavbere was physically present with some of his supporters so is Obaseki.”.
“Personally, I am supporting Obaseki. I am not in any shape or form suggesting that other aspirants are not capable but you have one position only one man can occupy at the same time and I am convinced beyond all reasonable doubt, having listened to Obaseki, that the man has what it takes to take this state to higher level. The man has what it takes to continue the transformation agenda of the state governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole.”
According to Mr Imasuen, “Look, for people who do not know Obaseki, they say, oh we do not know him. Many people did not have the opportunity to meet Oshiomhole before he became governor and when he became governor, he became governor for Edo State and at the end, we all got to know him and we are happy with his performance. Obaseki has been in Edo State government for the past seven years. He stays behind the scene and he has been helping the state governor in terms of policy-making for Edo State and if you look at his wealth of experience, having worked in the private sector, having worked in the U.S. with notable individuals, and companies in Nigeria to grow to attain their current potentials, I think we all should be grateful for a man like Obaseki”.
He explained further ,” Yes, Oshiomhole has his own choice. The Oshiomhole’s choice is not the choice of ordinary man in the APC and everyone will be allowed to take the form and compete. If at the end, whoever wins will get the blessing of the people of the party and by the grace of Almighty God will get the blessing of the people of Edo State.
So I think, from what I have had and from what I know about Obaseki, I strongly believe that the man has what it takes to take this state to a new level and the people of Edo state should be patient. “The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a step”.
“When you get to know Obaseki, when the time comes and you get to hear from him his plans for this state, how he plans to sustain the developmental effort on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, you will be convinced beyond all reasonable doubt just like me that he is the right man for the job. Well he is not alone that is contesting for this position and many of them are eminently qualified but like I said it is just one man that can go there and I think Obaseki possesses those rare qualities that are needed especially now in Nigeria when the whole situation has really reduced financial potentials,” he concluded.
