I was dismayed when l read about the outright falsehood being peddled about the sale of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, by some uninformed persons, guided by emotional imbalance.

No doubt, those vociferating this story are confused lots, who one could tagged as bad political losers.

How could the alleged sales of Edo State Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, be compared to the sales of Edo House, located in Lagos, an edifice which was inherited by Edo State, after the historic break up of the then Bendel State, into Edo/Delta States respectively?

To me, it is a case of conjuring unnecessary weeping sentiments, because the sale of Edo House was a grand design hatched by the then government of Adams Oshiomhole, to rip off the state, as an alleged settlement for a known godfather in Lagos.

Thanks to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition political party then, under the leadership of Chief Dan O. C Orbih, who stood against all odds, even when the then desperate government had almost used the instrumentality of a town hall meeting, to manipulate the people to buy into the unpopular idea.

Back to the purported sale of the Edo State Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for me, l will say, is the proverbial single voice, that has been able to transcend the forest (according to Ishan proverb).

If l am to outline some of the investment efforts the Obaseki administration has attracted to the state, l may just be deviating from this issue, and not be able to buttress my points?

But imperatively, the Modular Refinery which has since been completed, but, to our dismay, the much needed crude oil pipelines, expected from the Federal Government, have not been connected, is a matter for another day.

The Gelegele Sea Port is on going, the Industrial Hub, the Independent Power Station, coupled with the political bullying Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki, is going through, within the state, and at the national level, the so called ‘single train, being piloted by him, has not stopped, but keeps moving.

In spite of all these fantastic efforts, the Governor is being made to under go political persecution, via the ‘pull him down’ being piloted by members of the opposition political parties.

Back to the alleged sales of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, the writer goofed when he said ‘sold’, and also mentioned that ShopRite is owned by foreign investors, which is far from the truth.

The fact of the matter is that, as of today, all ShopRite outlets in this country are owned by Nigerians by way of Franchise.

South Africa investors have since sold their shares, and left the country.

For, instance Mr. Biggs eateries which were formerly owned by Leventis Stores, are now being operated as Franchise.

For a state to attract any investment of the magnitude like ShopRite, the government must guarantee two things: Land & Security, which must be provided, as part of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).
Governor Goodwin Obaseki has made it abundantly clear that, the shares on this investment will be sold to Edo State people.

Therefore, this dust being raised about the sales of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, was fabricated from the library of the opposition. Their arguments are far from the facts on the ground.
The 2020 Edo State Governorship Elections has been won and lost, the present opposition parties in Edo State, must learn to be gallant and matured losers, that is the essence of representative democracy, such that is being practiced, in our clime.

Those trying to pull down Governor Godwin Obaseki, or casting aspersion on him, on any given issue or policies, must not only learn to exercise constraints, and be logical; but must cultivate the habit of conducting independent research, on burning issues, and ultimately do constructive criticism, in order to move Edo State forward.

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Diagi Lucky, is a Benin City based, political analyst