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  • Why Edo should vote wisely, by Obaseki

    Why Edo should vote wisely, by Obaseki

    The people of Edo State will decide on the future of the state on Saturday. They have two options; either to vote for Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the continuity of progress or endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Group Polical Editor EMMANUEL OLADESUwrites on the succession battle in the Southsouth state.

    Who should succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole among the 14 candidates eyeing the Edo State Government House? This is the question on the lips of observers as the people prepare for the Saturday poll. The answer to the puzzle is not elusive. To resolve the puzzle, three factors are important; what has happened in the past, what is happening now and what the people expect in the future.

    Eyes are on two parties; the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC wants to retain power in the post-Oshiomhole era. Its candidate, Godwin Obaseki, is perceived as a technocrat without any baggage. The PDP is itching to bounce back, following its failed attempts on three occasions. Although the governorship poll was rigged in its favour in 2007, the stolen mandate was retrieved at the Court of Appeal. In 2012, the PDP’s bid also collapsed like a pack of cards. Now, its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is being reminded of his link with the previous futile attempt at enthroning good governance in the state.

    In 1999, Governor Lucky Igbinedion, who rode on the back of the godfathers to power, had the opportunity to write his name in gold. Many believed that he carelessly allowed the chance to slip away. The state was unlucky under him. Yet, he secured a second term mandate in 2003, based on the crude joke that he deserved to repeat the class, following his failure in a decisive examination.

    In 2007, the PDP deployed its federal might and succeeded in installing Prof. Oseheimen Osunbor, as governor. But, the euphoria of victory withered immediately Oshiomhole assumed the reins. Literarily, Edo was in ruins. There were high expectations. The governor had no alternative than to act fast. The veteran labour leader hit the ground running. His immediate task was to liberate the distressed state from the clutch of the privileged few who presided over a colony of marauders.

    Relief came to Edo, barely six months after. The governor was conscious of his historic responsibility. He knew he was on a rescue mission. Oshiomhole restored public confidence in government through his giant strides. In his bid to fight the infrastructure battle, the state became a huge construction site. Reflecting on this at a rally in Auchi Kingdom, he said: “The PDP said roads cannot be constructed in some local governments because of mountains and rivers. Our government has changed that orientation and belief by connecting the neglected areas with good and durable roads.”

    Other sectors were also given a face-lift. The government pumped money into the education sector for school rehabilitation. Hospitals were adequately equipped with personnel and facilities. The festival of looting ceased, following the enthronement of a government of transparency and accountability. It was evident that Oshiomhole was driven by the progressive mission, a reformist agenda and the increasing demand for dividends of democracy by the far-flung people. His score card during his first term motivated the electorate to give him a second term.

    However, the challenges of the first term have paled into insignificance in the face of dwindling resources in the second term. Despite the shrinking financial base, development projects have not been suspended in Edo State. The state has been rated by development experts as a promising entity on a steady progress. While states, including oil rich-Delta and Bayelsa, and Oyo are owing salaries, Edo has been paying workers promptly. The meager resources are being utilised by the comrade-governor, thereby insulating the state from the adverse effects of economic recession.

    The credit for the sound economic judgment and prudent management goes to Obaseki, financial expert and Leader of the Edo Economic Team, who has been instrumental to critical policy decisions and implementation under the Oshiomhole administration in the last seven years.

    As the decision time beckons, there are some contending issues to be resolved. Two forces are battling for the soul of Edo. At loggerheads are those perceived as agents of progress and agents of retrogression fighting hard to reject the label of treasury looters. APC National Chairman Chie John Odigie-Oyegun, who said the party represented progress, stressed that it is risky to allow the PDP to take the state back to the dark period.

    It is an understatement. According to observers, the PDP has failed to manage prosperity while in power. The state regressed during the eight years, in spite of the huge resources at the disposal of government and bundle of opportunities. The vision of the founding fathers of Edo was eroded by the personalisation of power, monopolisation of resources and reduction of governance to money sharing. Many indigenes are still enraged by the poor asset management, which manifested in the unpopular policy of selling government property in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) to prominent families. They are angry that thoughts on future investment took the back seat because the former administration lacked oresight.

    In anguish, the people ask questions about the mishandling of the commonwealth: where are the Edo assets? Bendel Insurance assets were said to be held in trust for the state. But, where are the following: a six-storey building at Tinubu Square, a four-storey building and warehouse at Ijora, Lagos, landed property along Upper Mission Road, a large parcel of land on Benin-Auchi Road and the property on Sapele Road? What has happened to its shares in the defunct NNB, the blocks of four flats on Denis Osadebey Road, Benin, the old Driving Testing Ground, the hotel at the GRA, Benin, and plots of land on Mission Road, James Watts Road, and Aideyan Avenue, Benin?

    On the other hand, Oshiomhole has received accolades for a job well done. Two-time governor of the state Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, who had rendered a meritorious service in the past, said the governor has laid a good foundation for the future. Recently, Prince Akenzua also observed that Oshiomhole will leave the State House better than he met it. Urging the people to vote wisely, he said the pedigree of the candidates should be taken into consideration.

    There are other questions staring voters in the face: can the PDP, which could not manage prosperity and usher in an era of development, manage adversity now that the state, and indeed, the nation are being confronted with stark economic realities? Should bad managers and those described by observers as treasury looters be allowed to regain power? If people who diverted arms money at the centre, thereby undermining the anti-terror war, are allowed to come back, what will they do if they have access to Edo treasury?

    According to observers, the choice of Edo people will determine their future. The two leading candidates have submitted themselves for scrutiny. Ize-Iyamu, a lawyer, cleric and an experienced politician, was the Chief of Staff and Secretary to Government under Igbinedion. Odigie-Oyegun said that administration brought disaster to Edo.  “Now that times are hard, is that kind of person anybody would want to bring back to manage the affairs of the state? The answer is clearly no,” he added.

    Obaseki, a financial surgeon, is perceived as the brain box of the Oshiomhole administration. His knowledge of the economy and managerial acumen are not in doubt. Odigie-Oyegun, who also put this into perspective, said: “You have a Godwin Obaseki, who has been at the heart of the management of the economy of this state throughout this hard time.  What kind of person do we need to lead the state through this hard time? The person is Obaseki,  who has been very successful in the private sector before coming to Edo State to help the government.”

    The APC flag bearer has urged voters to beam a searchlight on Ize-Iyamu’s  record. He said, saying that he is unfit to rule the state. He said: “He doesn’t have a fraction of the experience that I have. In terms of his personal development, I don’t think he is at par with the type of experience I have. But, even in governance, if you compare both of us, he had the opportunity of spending much time and wielding much influence in the government of Lucky Igbinedion.

    “We are all living witnesses to the disaster they brought to the people of Edo State. He was the engine that drove the Igbinedion administration and they drove us into a ditch. I, on the other hand, am the engine that has driven this current administration. And see where we are. So, in terms of comparism, we are poles apart. We will test it out on September 10. From what I know, I don’t think they have anything to offer us. We have tested them before and we regretted ever doing that and we will not repeat the mistake.”

    But, Ize-Iyamu has replied the missiles. He absolved himself of the mistake of the PDP government, saying that he was not in charge. He alleged that Oshiomhole has misruled Edo by cutting corners through contract inflation. He promised to run the state according to the wishes of the people, if elected.

  • Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Godwin Obaseki came tops after last night’s debate by candidates in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    Three other candidates —Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osaro Onaiwu (APGA) and Amos Areleogbe (LP)— fielded questions from a team of Channels Television interviewers.

    Some of those who watched the 90-minute debate rated Obaseki ahead in the way he spoke on the economy; how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in four years.

    Twenty-one old Joy Iredia, a student of the University of Benin, said: “Until now, I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation.”

    A civil servant Mr. Osahon Bello, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service for efficiency and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”

    Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years, said the economic challenges confronting the nation today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems to lead the state on the path to prosperity.

    Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki said: “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems.”

    He assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government.

  • ‘PDP not an option for Edo people- Obaseki

    ‘PDP not an option for Edo people- Obaseki

    Mr. Godwin Obaseki is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this week’s election in Edo State. In this interview, he expressed optimism of victory, just as he raised an alarm over alleged plot by the PDP to unleash mayhem on the day of the election. Excerpts:

    How optimistic are you of victory in the governorship election this month?

    We have campaigned extensively; if you recall, this is the second time I am embarking on this kind of campaign. During the primaries, I went through the 192 wards. The campaigns for the main election has been more detailed; I went to communities I did not have the opportunity of visiting during the primaries and it has been quite revealing. Firstly, it would be a miracle for PDP to win in Edo State because as we have gone round the communities, we just don’t see their presence, we don’t hear their message, probably because they don’t have any message. In every community we have gone to, we can point to a project that the APC government has undertaken and that explains the popularity of the party. The issue in most communities is that they want more and it is easy to argue that given our track record of performance, they should allow us continue to provide for them unlike that of PDP; their track record was so bad that in their ten years they had nothing to show the people of the state. So, that being the fact on ground, it has been easy for me to appeal to the voters to vote for me as APC candidate and my running mate Philip Shuaibu. The second issue is that we have been able to counter their lies because without any message to send they have gone round to tell lies to people, campaign of calumny, lies to create tension and anxiety and prepare the place for violence. Going round has also given us the opportunity to counter those lies. For them, the only way they can win is for them to unleash violence and steal ballot boxes to produce fake results and we know clearly they are working on such strategies. There is evidence and we have reported to security agencies, the people they are importing from neighbouring communities to come and cause mayhem so we can have inconclusive elections. We also have evidence of the people they brought in to register during their Voters Registration Exercise who do not even come from those communities. You could see from the incident at llushi, where they attacked my campaign train, you could see due to the frustration and fear that they are going to lose the election some of their supporters are even acting the violent script even before the day. They cannot even hold it back anymore. They unleashed mayhem on our supporters, which was totally uncalled for and wicked. They destroyed our vehicles and people were beaten up.

    So, they are masters of propaganda; while we are campaigning, the PDP leadership are using the money they stole for propaganda; so their propaganda machine is well oiled, misinforming people, most of their proposed theory is to deceive people, giving them false impression that they are winning. No concrete message for the people, they are selling a message about the future when they destroyed the past. So they really don’t have a message; they go to the markets, tried to create fear, using the current economic crisis to campaign. But we have gone round to explain to people that these are the same people who caused this economic recession, destroyed our economy. So, the only other plan which they are confident in is violence which they are masters in. We know that PDP is working with the guys that created the havoc in Rivers State, the killings there. We have told security agencies; we know that they have recruited many of them. You know we are campaigning in riverine areas and those are the areas they are targeting. Places like llusin, Gegelege, Agenebode, our borders are the areas they intend to perpetuate violence and there is evidence they have brought in people in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba Okhai. They planted at least two militants each from the Niger Delta in each of the units in these metropolitan areas so that they can cause mayhem and cause confusion that may lead to inconclusive elections. That is their strategy and we have told security agents. The PDP has no message to give so they want violence but we will not allow them.

    But is this recession problem not affecting your party in the campaigns and the elections ahead?

    In this case of Edo, we know that Edo people are very enlightened; we have been explaining to them that the recession is global but what is more important is what we have been doing to solve the problem. Campaigning round the state, I found out that in the rural areas, people are beginning to make a lot of money due to rise in prices of goods. But we have told them prices will come down as a result of these productions we are seeing. Most areas where there are tarred roads, we see people drying rice, people going to their farms to harvest yams and lorry loads of food stuff coming out. So, we have been selling a message of hope to say, look, this recession is only temporary and because they trust us, they are buying it. The other advantage we have is that they have tested the PDP before and they don’t see PDP as an option. When we ask them they said sometimes they don’t even know the PDP candidate, whether it is Ize-Iyamu or Iduoriyekemwen. So, even their members are confused while many of them felt APC is the only hope and they are joining us every day. So, PDP has no hope in this election. For me, the real opponents I have are that of the APGA, Osaro Onaiwu, and others but not PDP. They are two PDP in Edo now; the ones controlled by the god fathers and only them are still in that party and one controlled by some progressive leaders and that faction have all moved to APC. So, who is going to win for them in each of the wards and units; no body! So, I laugh when they resorted to making comments in the papers; they only exist in the papers not on ground and for me, it is another 419 so that their PDP governors will bring money for them to share. But it is all over for them in Edo. APC in Edo State, led by Governor Oshiomhole has buried them and we will bury and bury PDP continuously.

    Any fear of anti party activities?

    Nobody in APC will do anti party activity. That was Ize-Iyamu’s prayers because he called several APC members to come and play the trick he knows best and work against their own party but they shunned him. The reconciliation effort we have done has been very successful. You would have noticed that some of our colleagues who were aggrieved after the primaries have been working very closely with the party in their various wards and local governments. We are all together. I was even touched seeing our members contributing money to fund the campaigns in their various wards, quite touching and I am so grateful to them. What is also interesting and what helped us is the wave of decamping from PDP to APC; so anybody who was angry with us, seeing PDP coming to us, had looked at it to say, I think we have something good here, let us remain. So, the factor of many PDP members decamping to APC and the debt of reconciliation just shows that we are one people working in unison, particularly in the local governments like Orhiomwon, Uhumwonde, those are the areas we had concerns before but those areas are solid now and under the control of APC, the leaders of the party there are working together now.

    People see you as a stooge to Governor Adams Oshiomhole; are you really a stooge?

    I keep saying to them that if I was a stooge for the last eight years and that led to the amount of development and progress that we have made, then if being a stooge will lead to the progress of my people I rather be a stooge to my people than being a none stooge that will steal our common wealth. It is nonsense. Also what are the issues: the issues are about development, about utilising our wealth for our common good. So, if being a stooge means utilising public funds for the betterment of the people of Edo State, if being a stooge means I am not going to meet with any godfather to decide on how my budget will be implemented, then I will rather be such a stooge. One of the PDP candidates, Ize-Iyamu, has all his life been a stooge to the Igbinedions both the father and son. Starting as a PA to Lucky Igbinedion, Chief of Staff to his government and later the most powerful SSG who signed off contracts that were never executed; who signed the sacking of over 7000 workers who today are crying of pension which the Oshiomhole’s administration is paying today. Let me tell you, we need to begin to change the paradigm. I keep asking; tell me in specific terms what the Oshiomhole’s administration has not done in the last seven and half years? So, what is wrong about propagating and continuing with those strides? So, we must redefine our politics from these brain dead hawks in our politics who think they can continue to destroy and distract our people. The issue is what did you do with political authorities? Being in the back room of this administration in the last seven and half years, I directed the policies more. I pointed to the Comrade Governor the direction we should go; so did that make Adams a stooge? Sometimes try and understand their logic, because of their poor education which have never allowed them do other things in their lives they make those stupid arguments about being a stooge. But let me tell them, if all we have achieved under Oshiomhole made me a stooge, I accept. Then let Ize-Iyamu also accept that he is a stooge to Lucky Igbinedion and let him take the blames of the failure of the PDP for 10 years. At least with that you will expect him to toe the path of honour by withdrawing from the contest because he will be stoned by our people next Saturday.

    What message do you have for Edo people before the election?

    I want to thank Edo people because across the state, I have found out during our campaigns that we have groups and communities that have voluntarily, on their own, endorsed me, assuring me that they will vote for me. My appeal is to security agencies to ensure that they monitor the process to ensure we have no violence. If we have an election, free fair and credible, that is devoid of violence, I am certain we will trounce the PDP no matter who they decide to produce as the candidate. I will pick at least 80 percent of the votes come September 10.

  • Obaseki will not Islamise Edo, says Omobude

    President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Felix Omobude, has dismissed insinuations by opposition parties that the All Progressives  Congress (APC) candidate  in the September 10 Edo governorship poll, Godwin Obaseki, plans to Islamise the state.

    Obaseki, Omobude said, cannot impose any religion on the state, dismissing talks by the opposition parties in that direction as no-issue.

    Omobude spoke when Obaseki paid a courtesy visit to his office in Benin City.

    According to him: “The issue of anybody imposing religion on the others in Edo state is not an issue.

    “Predominantly, this state is more of Christian so we are not afraid.

    “I think it beholds on all political officer holders wherever in the country to be fair to all and not to be seen as pushing one against the other.”

    Commending the governorship hopeful for his electioneering, he said:  “I have watched your campaign and I appreciate your objectivity and candour added to it.

    “One can only pray that this election continue to be peaceful and that the one that God has chosen will take its place and power comes from God.

    “Continue on the way you have been conducting your campaign.”

    On his part, Obaseki said claims that he had plans to Islamise the state were lies sponsored by oppositions.

    He said the freedom of religion is constitutional and no one has the right to impose a certain religion on others.

    Obaseki said: “I noticed that there has been a bit of misinformation. They say it is part of politics but that is what we have to clean up.

    “The first issue has to do with religion. Our constitution is clear on religious freedom and it gives us the right and freedom to practice what they believe in.

    “The constitution doesn’t allow you to impose your own belief or religion on any other person particularly the state.

    “So when people come and talk about someone with an agenda to impose a certain type of religion on people, it is to misinform people and create crisis and confusion.”

    The APC candidate added: “Also when they argue and make a devious point that a Christian has the agenda to impose Islam on his fellow Christians it doesn’t make sense. It is not true and it is bad politics.

    “One other unfortunate issue that has been peddled is about the state imposing taxes on religious activities. That again is wrong.

    “The status is clear. Churches, mosques, religious bodies are not supposed to pay tax and they don’t. This is false and wrong.”

  • Why Edo should vote Obaseki, by monarch

    Why Edo should vote Obaseki, by monarch

    Traditional ruler of Udo community, His Royal Highness, Patrick Igbinidu, the Iyase N’ Udo has warned his subjects to wait for the wrath of the ancestors if they vote against candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    The Udo monarch said the plan by the APC to develop the state will  be realised under Obaseki.

    He spoke yesterday when the APC ward campaign train visited his domain in Ovia South West local government area.

    HRH Igbinudu said they have sent Obaseki on an errand and they have prayed God to grant him success to do what he has promised to do.

    He said:  “All the nooks and crannies of Udo should be told that it is Obaseki that we will vote for as the next governor after Oshiomhole.

    “You all have seen it, this is who the Udo people should support, who said he won’t vote for him, he should wait for the ancestors. The entire Udo kingdom should vote for him and anyone who gives his votes to another person is on his own”. The Udo monarch charged.

    Obaseki on his part thanked the monarch for the support and promised that attention would be given to the community to improve the standard of living in the area.

    He said he would utilize the resources of the community to the benefit of the people who he noted will be empowered and strengthened to be self dependent.

     

  • My tax regime ‘ll be pocket-friendly, says Obaseki

    My tax regime ‘ll be pocket-friendly, says Obaseki

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people that his administration will introduce a tax regime that is pocket-friendly.

    He allayed fears of over-taxation, since, according to him, he was determined to run a people-oriented administration.

    In a press statement by the Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation (GOCO) in Benin City,  the state capital yesterday, the flag bearer said although it is important to enhance the internally generated revenue base, he vowed not to do so at the expense of the lean purse of the people.

    He said: “Bearing in mind our economic development initiatives, which we will commence immediately upon assuming office and recognising the role of taxation in development, we will implement a pocket-friendly regime to grow the tax base.”

    Obaseki said no one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom, adding that, as a financial expert with international recognition, he was best suited to rule Edo State. He promised that genuine investors will also be encouraged.

    Obaseki added: “I have been a private sector businessman paying taxes to government and helping with taxation management, I know the pains of taxation and the benefits that comes with responsible management of tax proceeds.

    “Our government shall commit itself to a transparent management of tax payers’ resources at all times in line with the Adams Oshiomole’s administration that has emerged as one of the very few states in Nigeria that are not owing workers salaries”.

  • Obaseki preaches peace

    Obaseki preaches peace

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr.  Godwin Obaseki, has charged other contestants to keep the peace before, during and after the election.

    Obaseki said in a statement in Benin City, the state capital, that peace is crucial to the conduct of a free and fair election, urging the stakeholders to promote harmony in the interest of the state.

    The APC candidate also reminded his rivals that Edo State is bigger than the contenders, urging them not to do anything that could jeopardize the peace and progress of the state.

    He said no election is worth dying for, adding that the exercise should not be a “do-or-die” affair.

    Obaseki advised the flag bearers to instruct their followers and supporters not to engage in acts capable of disturbing public peace in Edo, which . he said, is the most peaceful state in the usually volatile Southsouth region

    He added:“Election will come and go, but Edo State would remain forever”, Obaseki stressed, hinting however that he was certain to win the September 10 election judging by the immense goodwill he and his party, the APC continued to enjoy from the people of the state.”

  • Hausa community endorses Obaseki

    Hausa community endorses Obaseki

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, were yesterday endorsed by the Hausa communities, ahead of the September 10 election.

    The Hausa communities in the North District under the umbrella body of Etsako West Arewa People’s Congress (EWAPC) declared their support at a reception held in honour of Shaibu in Auchi.

    EWAPC, the largest Hausa community in the state, applauded the developmental strides of the Adams Oshiomole administration and the peaceful co-existence between the host communities and the Hausa.

    The group said these were possible because the governor provided a favourable climate for development and peaceful co-existence.

    The leader of the communities and Sarkin Hausaawa of Yelwa, Uzairue, Auchi and Aviele, Alhaji Abdulrasak Umar, said the decision to support the candidates was informed by their belief in the APC government.

    He said: “We have been witnesses to the giant transformation in the state for seven years now, all over the state, our people has recorded peaceful coexistence with their host communities, this we believe will continue with the Obaseki/Shiabu administration, hence our resolve to back you”

    Umar said that Obaseki has shown wisdom by choosing a politician from the area as his running mate. He said: “Having seen the good work of the comrade governor, the Hausa community has decided to give 100 per cent support and vote to the technocrat, Godwin Obaseki, and Philip Shaibu to consolidate the good work of the comrade governor.Come rain, come shine, our votes are for the APC and Obaseki and Shaibu.”

    He, however, appealed to the governor to provide a borehole to ease the water shortage in the area.

    Shaibu thanked the Hausa community and promised not to let them down by rewarding their support with developmental projects, if voted into office.

    Shaibu, who spoke in Hausa, said Obaseki will industrializsEdo state and create jobs for the youths.

     

     

     

  • Ovia communities endorse Obaseki

    Ovia communities endorse Obaseki

    Over 3,000 members of   Community Development Associations (CDA) in Ovia North East Local Government have endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) Mr Godwin Obaseki for Edo governorship election.

    The CDAPresident Mr. Osasere Osayogie and his deputyMr Etinosa Ighogaro announced the endorsement at a solidarity meeting  held yesterday in Benin City.

    According to Osayogie, “We the youths of Ovia North-East have endorsed Godwin Obaseki for governor. We have done it before. We will do it again. We are here today to rejoice with Godwin Obaseki.

    “Come September 10, 2016, Godwin Obaseki will be elected the next governor, ” he said.

    Receiving the youths, Governor Adams Oshiomhole recalled how his government revoked land which was illegally allocated to an individual and returned same to the people.

    He said: said, “On assumption of office, I discovered that almost all the land in Ovia North-East had been allocated to only one man. I revoked the land illegally allocated to only one family and I returned it to the people of Ovia. I revoked it, I stand by it and it remains revoked and given to the people.”

    According to the governor, “The purpose of government is to protect the interest of the people and I believe you must defend that and ensure that nobody takes your land.

    “We will hand over to a man who understands what it means to protect the public interest.”

    On Obaseki’s endorsement, Oshiomhole said: “when I see the large turn-out of the community leaders here, I know it is finished. ”

    Taking a jibe at the past PDP government, he said: “when they come to campaign in Ovia, you must ask them: “where is the dual-carriage way from the junction of the Benin-Sagamu expressway to Okada.’“

    He said efforts by the state government to extend electricity to some communities in Ovia was hampered by some desperate politicians who organised thugs to stop the truck carrying electric poles to the beneficiary community.

    He said: “If anybody breached the law, they will be prosecuted and sentenced to prison. “We respect authority but we will not tolerate rascality. Everybody is equal before the law,” he said.

    He thanked the people of Ovia North-East for their consistent support for his government and the APC, assuring that government will protect them from harassment and intimidation.

    Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, thanked the Ovia communities for endorsing him, assuring that he would not abandon them when he becomes Governor.

    He said: “I want thank you for the very bold step you have taken to endorse me as the sole candidate for the governorship position”, assuring that there would be continuity in the building of more infrastructure.

    He promised that his government would attract agro-industries to their communities who would engage the youths in mechanised farming.

  • Edo 2016: I’m my own man, says Obaseki

    Edo 2016: I’m my own man, says Obaseki

    • ‘Edo doesn’t owe banks’

    Edo State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, has declared that he is his own man.

    He dismissed insinuations he is a puppet of outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomole.

    He fingered those who have lived off the state’s resources as architects of the claims.

    Obaseki, who spoke in an interview in Benin City, the Edo State capital, explained that his vision is to build on what the APC government has done in the last eight years.

    The governorship hopeful explained he was part of the main architects for the design of the current administration.

    He ruled out doing anything radically different from what Oshiomole is doing as governor.

    According to him: “When I hear people talk about remote control yes, if I am going to be remote controlled to build more roads is that not good remote control?

    “If I am going to be remote controlled to build more schools, to create jobs (is that not good remote controlled?)

    “But I cannot be remote controlled to take public funds and distribute to people who are not adding value.”

    He went on: “So the narratives you are hearing about Obaseki not being his own man…I don’t see myself doing anything radically different.

    “That’s the challenge. That’s the politics. That’s the argument. I am my own man.”

    On claims by the Peoples Democratic Party that the current administration ran the state into debts, Obaseki said Edo does not owe any bank.

    He explained the negligible outstanding loans of Edo are not different from what obtain in other states.

    He maintained loans taken by the state can be paid off within the shortest time especially with the increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    According to Obaseki: “If you go to the website of the Debt Management Office and check the loans of states, Edo’s total loan outstanding is less than N50 billion.

    “Our total tax every year is about N24 billion. In fact this year, our total revenue from IGR alone is about N25 billion.

    “So even if we didn’t do anything, two years of our IGR will pay off our total debts outstanding.

    “So when people talk about debt I imagine where are they coming from? The interesting thing is that we do not owe a bank one dime.

    “The type of debt we have is a type of debt states and governments should have. These are long dated debts.

    “By next year we’ll finish paying the first bond we took. The rest we’ve taken from multilateral agencies like the World Bank facilities, which is almost like a dash, a grant with 10 to 20 years moratorium and less than 2% interest.

    “So we don’t have that debt burden. We’ve thought about it very carefully and we have demonstrated to lenders that we are responsible borrowers.

    “And that is why we’ve gotten the short of term loan we now have,” Obaseki stated.