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Tag: Obaseki

  • Esele, Agbonmhere, others hail Obaseki

    Esele, Agbonmhere, others hail Obaseki

    Former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, has congratulated Mr. Godwin Obaseki over his victory at the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primary.

    Esele, who is a governorship aspirant, conceded defeat before the results were announced and he left the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia at about 2:30am yesterday.

    He told reporters he could live with the outcome of the primary, despite some misgivings.

    He said: “I think it is something I can live with. With the way it is now, I think Godwin (Obaseki) will emerge our nominee. As a loyal party man, I will support him in whatever way possible.

    “I just congratulated him now. I don’t want to start nodding in front of the television. I wish him the best of luck in September and whatever way I can support him, I will.”

    Other aspirants that waited till the results were counted and a winner declared were Blessing Agbomhere, Prof. Oserheinmen Osunbor, Austin Emuan, Tina Agbarha, Charles Airhiavbere and Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula.

    Agbonmhere said he was a loyal party man and would support the unity of the party. He said the primary has been concluded and the way forward was to come together and win the September governorship election.

    Others shook hands with Obaseki but refused to talk to the press.

    In a press release signed by Comrade Godwin Erhahon, State Publicity Secretary said assured that as a progressive party, APC will re-unite all rival groups that went into the primaries with different hopes and aspirations to team up to ensure victory in the September 10 governorship election.

    “As members of one progressive family, we went divided into the primaries struggling peacefully to ensure the victory of different aspirants but as progressive democrats, we returned united behind one candidate.

    “We appealed to all aggrieved persons to forgive all pre-primaries offences and cooperate as members of one family to mobilize voters for APC in the forthcoming governorship election. The APC and its government in Edo State will strive to heal all wounds and pains, physical and emotional, that may have been sustained or felt during the battle for various aspirants towards the primaries.

    “Supporters of the winner should understand that the structure with which they battled for the primaries will surely not be enough for them to face the general election.”

  • Agric, human capital development are priorities, says Obaseki

    Agric, human capital development are priorities, says Obaseki

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has promised to invest in agriculture as to foster economic stability.

    He said the human resources in the state remains are untapped and underdeveloped, promising to formulate policies and implement programmes that will lead to self-reliance.

    Obaseki, who is Chairman, Edo Economic and Strategy Team, noted that investment in agriculture would not only tackle unemployment and provide food security, it will also secure the economic future of the state.

    He said: “Developing and investing in the agricultural sector is a sure shot way to economic sustainability. It will provide jobs and create associated support businesses.

    “It is also one of the most effective and important strategies for economic growth, poverty reduction and more job opportunities in a state.

    “Our abundance of intelligent human capital means Edo can become a vibrant technology hub, we must look inward to develop this resource,” he added.

    Obaseki, said that an Edo State under his watch would be a government of consolidation and progressive governance, building on the success of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    On his plan for the economy, he said: “Businesses are the life blood of every state’s economy. The state must create an environment that attracts and support businesses.

    “The economy of a state requires a vibrant business community, large-scale to small,” he added.

  • Why I didn’t buy APC nomination form, by Obaseki

    A former Managing Director of Daar Communications, Dr. Osaro Agbonifo Obaseki has said that he refused to pay N5.5m for the nomination and expression of interest form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because results of the primary have been ‘arranged’.

    Dr. Obaseki, who announced his withdrawal from the governorship race in Benin City, the state capital, said he would contest the governorship election in another party.

    He refused to name the party as according to him, he was still consulting.

    Obaseki insisted that he has lost faith in the process, adding that it was obvious that the outcome was already predetermined.

    The former university lecturer said he stumbled on a document that detailed how the primary would be conducted to favour a particular candidate.

    Obaseki said: “I have lost faith in the primary process. Unfortunately I was in Abuja on Thursday and I stumbled into a document that I cannot divulge to the public for security reasons that makes it obviously clear that all those who are buying or who have bought their forms to contest the primaries of the APC are wasting their time.”

    “As an academic and someone who is guided by thesis antithesis and syntheses, I elected to withdraw my intention to contest the primaries of the APC, I will not tell you that I am no longer a member of the APC but I am more interested in being an E.D.O. (Empower, Develop and Opportunities) man than an APC man.

    He added: “I will rather be an Edo man than being a PDP. I am not running for the election as an APC candidate anymore. I am running for the election as Edo candidate on September 10.

    “I have, therefore, elected upon wide consultations with my immediate and extended family, supporters, friends and well wishers, not to pay the unwholesome of N5,500,000 for the expression of interest, and nomination forms of the APC”

    He also said the primary would be the most expensive in the history of the state, alleging that the about 3,000 delegates would be bribed with N200,000.

  • Edo 2016: ‘Oshiomhole has right to endorse Obaseki’

    Rasaq Bello-Osagie is a member of the APC in Edo State. In this interview with South-South Regional Editor, Shola O’Neil, the former House of Representatives member speaks on the race to succeed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Edo State Governor, stating that the incumbent governor is right to support Mr. Godwin Obaseki as his successor. Excerpts:

    Do you think your party, the APC, has done enough for the people of Edo State to merit another mandate?

    Edo State is very lucky. Let us look at where we are coming from, where we are now and of course, where we want to be in the unfolding dispensation. What readily comes to mind is that Edo State has been quite fortunate. It has witnessed a long regime of underdevelopment. Yes, we saw some shades of development in the past, occasioned by the likes of our father, Brig Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, as governor of Bendel State. After that, some people tried within the limit of their capacities.

    We were lucky to have a man that has capacity to manage the meagre resources. A man of very striking intelligence, a labour leader per excellence who came into the political process and in seven and half years we have seen unprecedented developmental stride occasioned by various policies that brought about what you now see as visible development in all sectors of our national life and we are still counting.

    That is not to say that we have gotten to where we ought to be, but there is hope. Therefore our political space is yearning for a leader, a manager, very unusual manager because the times have changed. The days of going to Abuja to collect handouts are over, in my opinion. At $110 per barrel, we did not manage the economy very well neither did you make savings for the rainy day. What we see now is a plethora of problems hitting us in the face. What we need now is an intervention. We need a man that has uncommon exposure in the public and private sectors.

    Given the plethora of candidates in APC, how do you manage the diverse interests without rocking the boat?

    The primary, which is an internal process of the party, shouldn’t ordinary bring any rancour at all. What I have seen are some desperate politicians. Politicians normally take advantage of periods like this because there are gains that are ancillary to the process. They see it as a period of harvest and they are the ones who suggest and heat up the polity.

    My recommendation is, please go out there and market your credentials and talk about your pedigree to the voters. We derive our powers as representatives from the people and therefore the circus that I see and this culture of lighting up our political space and creating the impression that there is crisis is usually the work of some fifth columnists because they can be talking to two, three candidates at the same time. They know where they are going to but they want some pecuniary gains from this and that.

    People often say managing a public business is different from running a public office, how do you think Godwin Obaseki will stand to this test?

    He has been in the private sector for many years and his involvement in governance has also prepared him. I am a politician and politicians believe that the political space should be reserved for only politicians, but I think we have gone beyond that space because the challenges are new now. We have very uncommon challenges. Anybody can go to Abuja, take handouts and come in. But we are talking of uncommon times where you need to be very creative and think of the new frontiers you want to break. Do we now begin to sit down on a note of lamentation and say, ‘we can’t go beyond this point?’

    As I speak with you, I am aware that he has been in the engine room of some of the investments that we have seen in Edo State.

    If Godwin Obaseki wins the APC primary, do you think he can withstand the force of the opposition, particularly the PDP?

    I am more concerned about our primaries, because we need the unity since it is a family affair. Beyond primaries, when he wins, not if he wins, that might be easier because if I were a member of PDP, I am sure by now I would have resigned from politics because of the public odium around that party.

    What is your stand on the issue of power rotation between the three senatorial districts and clamour that governorship position should go to the central?

    The point is any area has a right to aspire to any position. Barring any zonal arrangement that can be determined by the party’s structure, individuals can agitate but I think the party has a role to play in which area they want. It is not about what we say on the streets. You have to understand that there are some demographics that support successes that you can record. I don’t think this should divide the party. There are various positions apart from that of the governor and deputy governor. There is speaker, SSG, Chief of Staff. You can always sit down to discuss. It is when we refuse to discuss that we allow people to comment on issues like this.

    There are concerns that the rift between Gov Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Odubu can hurt the party?

    I think both of them are talking now. I can tell you very clearly that some persons, politicians, stakeholders have taken this as a project and in some cases the matter is blown out of proportion. The governor, in the past, had always said that the deputy had been loyal. If you have a basis for disagreement, I expect them to sit down as genuine leaders to bring them together to discuss this matter. Most times, we blow matters out of proportion. It is not as bad as it is being made.

    As an APC chieftain and one who is close to the governor, do you think he has an ‘anointed candidate’ and if so, is it right for him to pitch his tent with one of the many on the field?

    Very clearly, without mincing words, the governor is eminently qualified and within his right to identify with someone that he feels can continue from wherever he stops; somebody that, by his own estimation, should be able to do better because he understands the issues. That is why he has identified with Godwin Obaseki.

  • Ignore call to ban Obaseki, group tells APC

    Ignore call to ban Obaseki, group tells APC

    A group, the Edo Accord Initiative has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignore calls by some Bini Chiefs for the banning of Mr. Godwin Obaseki from governorship primary.

    It described the comments as mischievous, adding that the chiefs are plotting to divide the party.

    The Chairman of the group, Mr. Dennis Idahosa in a press statement urged the APC to conduct a free, fair and credible primaries instead of listening to those he termed party destroyers,

    Idahosa said the call to disqualify Obaseki was not only fallacious, selfish but geared towards a divisive end by detractors of the APC.

    “We condemn entirely such deceitful pronouncement and urge the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun led National Leadership of the APC to not only shun such call but disregard any further reports that will seek to disrupt the existing peace witnessed in the Edo APC today.

    “It is worthy of note that as progressives, we are convinced that the development witnessed in the state for the past seven and half years by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration is another giant stride that would take APC to victory in Edo.

    “As a socio-political group in Edo state, we have also endorsed unmistakably the governorship aspiration of Mr Godwin Obaseki who has been through the rigours of governance and is ready to take Edo to the next level.

    “After critical look at all the aspirants, we have come to the conclusion that Obaseki who has a well-groomed ideology about governance with unblemished record in financial administration, and his well thought out agenda for the Edo people will transform various sectors in the state.”

  • Group condemns Benin chiefs’ comment on Odubu, Obaseki

    A group, the Organisation for Greater Edo Project (OGEP), has faulted the call for the disqualification of Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and Leader of the Economic Team Godwin Obaseki from the governorship race by some Benin chiefs.

    Other stakeholders who condemned the call said it was offensive and barbaric, urging the traditional chiefs to refrain from nefarious comments.

    Odubu and Obaseki have formally declared their intentions to contest for the governorship. They are mobilising delegates for the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The shadow poll holds on September 10.

    The resolution of the dispute arising from the primary will be done between June 2 and July 4.

    Some chiefs have allegedly urged the APC to ban the two aspirants from taking part in the exercise, following  violence allegedly involving their campaign organisations.

    However, OGEP, in a statement signed by Coordinator, Mr. Godwin Osakwe, described the move by the chiefs as “misplaced, ridiculous, dubious and misleading.”

    It added: “More importantly, we insist that the most revered traditional institution in Africa must not (be) smeared with mud by inordinately ambitious individuals.

    “This must be resisted by well-meaning and peace-loving citizens of Edo State, all genuine members of the teeming population of our great the All Progressives Congress and highly respected members of the Benin Traditional Council.”

  • How far can Obaseki go?

    How far can Obaseki go?

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Godwin Obaseki is waxing stronger. He has traversed the wards and local governments to sell his agenda to delegates who will pick the candidate at the primary. Can his bid to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole see the light of the day? Correspondent Osagie otabor examines his chances at the shadow poll.

    As the governorship primary of the Edo State All Progressive  Congress (APC) drawns near, it appears many of the aspirants already know their fate. This is because some party leaders, especially members of the House of Assembly, have openly declared where their interest lies.

    Last week, members of the Oshiomhole political family spoke with one voice. They declared support for an aspirant, Godwin Obaseki, Chairman of Edo State Economic Team. Their message was clear: “We cannot build a house and allow a tenant to take over.”

    As at last count, 15 persons have indicated interest to contest for the  ticket. Top runners for the APC ticket are Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Chairman of Edo State Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Blessing Agbomhere, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, former President of the Trade Union Congress Comrade Peter Esele, General Charles Airhiavbere, Kenneth Imasuagbon popularly known as ‘Rice Man’ and Austin Emuan.

    The Oshiomhole camp made a statement at the formal declaration of intention by Obaseki at Urhokpota, Oredo Local Government Area. It was an attended by delegates from the 18 local government areas and top chieftains of the party.

    Speaker Elisabeth Ativie led other 12 lawmakers to the event. Other notable APC leaders that endorsed Obaseki included Chief of Staff to Governor Oshiomhole Patrick Obahiagbon, Itohan Osahon Ogbeide, Gideon Obhakhan amongst others.

    It was the first time the Oshiomhole camp broke its silence since the battle for the governorship began.

    Commissioner for Works Osarodion Ogie, who was a governorship aspirant before he was asked to step down, is the leader of the camp. He is also the Director-General of the Obaseki Campaign Organization.

    Ogie said Obaseki will preside over a government of continuity. He said Obaseki will continue where Governor Oshiomhole stops, adding that he worked behind the scene for Oshiomhole to succeed.

    He recalled how Obaseki assembled a team of experts in Lagos where they drew the road map for Oshiomhole’s administration in 2007.

    His words: “We don’t want to hide again. Obaseki provided us an office space in Lagos where we sat with experts to prepare the programme we are currently implementing. A man who did not participate in the building of a house, will he know the house more than the architect?”

    “Who is the best person to do the work after Oshiomhole, it is Obaseki. The game just started, we will not abuse anybody but anybody that abuses us, we will reply. I speak for Oshiomhole political family we have endorse Obaseki and the game has just began,” he declared.

    Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Folly Ogedengbe said they were convinced that, for good governance to continue in the state, ‘Obaseki is the competent hands to continue from where Oshiomhole stops.’

    Chairman of APC in Estako West Local Government Alhaji Abubakar Akokhia, said many local government chairmen have taken a resolution to support Obaseki.

    His said: “This is our game. We have put things right. We have endorsed Obaseki.”

    Former chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Mrs. Itohan Osahon, who spoke on behalf of APC women, said Obaseki’s administration would benefit the women folk.

    She noted that Obaseki as an insider knows how to raise revenue to develop the state.

    Obaseki said that it would be a sin against God and his  people, if he walks away from Edo with the knowledge and experience  he has gathered.

    He said it would  be unpatriotic not to stand and be counted as he had gathered experience in the private sector and has been  part of the most successful administration in Nigeria in the past seven years.

    Obaseki added: “As this administration comes to an end, we are faced with new challenges. As you all know, the price of crude oil has reduced significantly. Therefore, Nigeria is not able to earn enough foreign exchange to import its goods and services. This has brought economic hardship to many of us. These challenges poses new threats to us. In the face of these challenges, we need a leadership with fresh and original ideas to help us face these challenges, so that we can build on the success of the Oshiomhole led administration.”

    “We must be courageous and determined to achieve the goals we want for our people. I therefore stand before you today, on the shoulders of the successes built by the current administration over the last seven and half years. We have transformed Edo State in all aspects. However, the Edo project is still work in progress and we are now in the most delicate part of the journey. We cannot afford any reversal in the achievements we have made today.”

    He added: “There are a lot more we still need to do. We still have to construct thousands of kilometres of road into our rural communities and into farms. We still need to improve our school infrastructure. We need to further strengthen our service delivery to our people, we need to address the unemployment problem which is facing us. It will be a huge risk for all of us if we reverse political powers to those who lack the deep understanding of how we got to where we are and how we have achieved what we have achieved and how we will make the link between what we have achieved and our future.”

    “If we make the mistake of giving power to such people we will go back and suffer more than we have ever suffered before. By the grace of God that will never happen in Edo state. I am very proud and happy that I have been an integral part of the success we have achieved in Edo state. The knowledge I have gained in the last seven and half years have put me in a unique position to understand what is required to take Edo to the next level.”

    Obaseki said Edo deserves a leader who, in addition to political sagacity, has the managerial, and intellectual experience to manage the state in this difficult time. Over the last sixteen weeks, I have consulted extensively with elder statesmen across the state, with my colleagues in government, with my family and friends and with delegates around the 192 wards of Edo state, I stand before you today with the commitment to ensuring that what we have achieved is not only sustained but so that we can guarantee the future of our children.”

    He said: “I therefore, announce to you all that I am seeking the ticket of the APC so that can fly the flag of APC come September 10, 2016. I pledge to build Edo state that has a strong economy, I will continue to build the infrastructural revolution that we have started.”

    “We have been able to manage the finances of Edo state better and ensured that there is transparency in government. We have improved service delivery to our people through the use of ICT. This government has executed several projects in all aspects, it is because of this transparency that Edo state remains the only few states that has been able to pay salaries” he stated.

    With the declaration of Obaseki, who is being supported by Oshiomhole’s foot soldiers, the stage is set for the battle between ‘home builders’ and ‘tenants’, between Edo Central and Edo South, politicians and technocrat. The fate of the aspirants, however, depends on delegates from the 192 wards. They hold the aces.

     

  • Qualities Oshiomhole’s successor should possess, by Obaseki

    Qualities Oshiomhole’s successor should possess, by Obaseki

    Godwin Obaseki, a financial expert, is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and ENITAN SERIKI on his ambition, his plans for the state and the challenges of governance in the post-Oshiomhole era. 

    What are the qualities you expect of the next  governor  of Edo State?

    In determining the qualities of the next governor, you have to look at the antecedents of this administration and what has happened in the last eight years. You have had a government that has come to deliver  what you popularly call the dividends  of democracy to the people, a government that is now more accountable, whereby people can ask questions about  government official s, how they spend money. You have had a government that is able to build world-class infrastructure like roads, a government that has been able to renew the infrastructure of schools and the educational system, a government that has been more responsive to the needs of the people. When you have had a situation like this over a period of time, it therefore, means that the sort of qualities a leader who seek to  govern a state, where these developments have occurred in the last seven and half years, should be one who has the understanding of how to continue what has already been started; somebody who has the understanding of the specifics of a policy that has led to this development you are seeing.

    You require the one who has the mind of a democrat to continue this process, where a leader feels the sense of accountability to the people and the people can ask questions, where decisions are made to the benefit of the larger number of citizens in the society. One key quality is that the leader must have the mind of a democrat and believe in democracy.  The second is that, particularly now that resources are much more scarce; financial resources;  the states are not getting as much revenue as they did because of the slump of oil price. You need someone who can manage scarce resources, someone who has a proven track record of managing men and materials because in the past, states usually queue for allocation from the centre, where the state exceptionally were funded from the allocations from the federal level . I  will say for 80 to 90 per cent of states in the country today, the allocations from the centre can barely  cover their personal costs, not to talk about their expenditure.

    So, for most states, what they get from Abuja cam hardly pay  salaries and that means you cannot refurbish schools, road and build infrastructure. That is the situation we have today. For a state that is seeking to have a new governor, that governor  must be somebody who have the experience of managing resources. In a nutshell ,  first, the person must have the mind of a democrat. Second, he must have an understanding of what has occurred in the last seven years so that he can see the connections; why certain policies were taken, so that we can avoid the dangers that face most African states where a governor makes such progress and the succeeding government now pushes it back because they did not understand why the policy was made. The person must have the capacity, ability and capability to manage men and materials.

    What are the challenges of governance you foresee in the post-Oshiomole era?

    The major challenge that I foresee in the future is meeting the  expectations  of the people. Before Governor Adams Oshiomhole came, the pace of development in Edo State was quite slow and low. Oshiomhole has undertaken an unbelievable infrastructural development. One of the feats is the extraordinary 15-kilometre drainage system to drain Benin City, which has now created the basis to build more roads that  will be more long lasting. We have also seen the rapid transformation of our school infrastructure within a short period of time. So, most communities now expect  that, as a minimum, primary and secondary schools located in the locality should be refurbished by the government. They now expect that somebody will  ensure that there will be enough teachers for most subjects, particularly science subjects,  and those teachers are punctual  in schools. Oshiomhole has raised the bar significantly for governance in Edo State and the real challenge is that in the face of the resources , the citizens will find it difficult to accept lower quality services from their governor.

    Why do you want to succeed Governor Oshiomhole on the platform of the APC?

    I have been a part of the APC story in Edo State. I worked with Governor Oshiomhole before he decided to run for the governor. I encouraged  him to run for the office. We actively supported his electioneering and more importantly, we also went with him in creating a blue print for the administration. Beyond creating a blue print, some of us volunteered to begin to implement his policies. So, I can with a sense of  of responsibility that I have been part of every major policy decisions of the Oshiomhole administration in the last seven years and I understand the imperatives and arguments for why certain decisions were made during the era. So, being a key part of creating the blue print and also sourcing for the financing of most of our programmes in the last seven and half years, I understand clearly all the major decisions we made and many of them are still work-in-progress. We have not completed all the projects the administration set out to do. In fact, the Edo project is work-in-progress. Governor Oshiomhole has just completed the critical aspect of it, which is laying the  foundation . What is now required is that someone who understands the designs should build on that foundation that has been laid. That is why I am in the race and that is why I am feeling confident that I will be able to continue from where  Governor Oshiomhole will stop.

    In concrete terms, what are your plans for the state?

    In concrete terms, we will emphasise infrastructural development  from the  beginning.  We had to build the schools ,roads, health care system and  these are the bases of governance.  We have to continue building infrastructure and we also need to extend the infrastructure to productive activities. We need to attract a lot more productive activities to the state so that we can begin to create  jobs for our people. We appreciate and understand that, given the challenges the country face today, we must diversify the economy and look inward. We must create economic activities and an enabling environment  for investors to come and invest. We need to start to reduce our taste for foreign goods. That is the cause of lack of foreign exchange. A lot of things we used to import into the country like food, everyday living commodities, accessories , clothing will now have to be made in Nigeria because the demands still exist and the production of these goods will have to occur in states that have the basic requirement to attract investors to come and produce them.  For instance, agriculture. You know we spend over 15 billion dollar in importing food that we can produce here. Now that we do not have that amount of money anymore and the demand persists; we have over 200 million people we have to feed. With 200 million hectares of lands located at the heart of the country, with the green vegetations that can support commercial agriculture. In any case, the only two quoted companies that are registered agricultural companies in Nigeria today are in Edo State.

    Edo has huge potentials to attract world class investors to invest and to create jobs. But, you need a government that understands how these opportunities can be harnesses and create an enabling environment. The next thing is electricity, although it is within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. With the IPP project, the one thousand mega watt of power in Edo State,  with that amount of electricity, with good quality roads, with an improved education system, there is no reason why we will not be the first place of choice for people to come and establish businesses, particularly as we are just some miles away from Lagos, which is the major market in Nigeria.

    What experience in the private sector, especially the financial sector, that has prepared you for the role?

    I graduated at the age of 21 and started working as a stock broker  before I was 25. The last 30 years of my life, I have been active in the areas of advising and investment, raising money for businesses and government. In the last three decades, I have had the opportunity to work with most major businesses  in Nigeria. In the late 80s, when the IBB administration opened up the banking system, I worked with His Royal Highness Chief Ebiti Banigo, who was my  Managing Director at the International Merchant  Bank. We set up the new generation banks. From my early age, I have always dealt with investors, making the rich to understand investment opportunity. So, I have a lot of experience on the market side. But,  what has happened is that I have had the privilege of being inside the government to see how they operate. That corporate experience is very rear to find in Nigeria .

    The perception is that you are the governor’s anointed candidate. How do you manage this perception?

    Politics is about  how to create perception. So, the opponent have tried to do a great job of creating and sustaining this perception. But, that is not what it is. Governor Oshiomole did not ask me to run. I went to him after a very careful and deep in analysis of the situation of Edo State. I went to him to offer myself to run because I have been making scarifies in the last seven years, studying and  understanding the needs of Edo people. I thought it will be a disservices to my people and to my God not to  offer myself for service. Governor Oshiomole did not anoint me. I went to him to seek for support to run for the governor of Edo State. In his own analysis, having worked with some of the major contenders, he believes that,  given what we face as a state and as a country, I poses  the skills required to take Edo to the next level, having worked with others.  He felt that the person that has credentials to govern Edo State, from his own analysis, should govern the state, and  if he was going to support anybody, I will be the one and that does not translate to anointing. If he had anointed me, I will not in the last 15 weeks been spending my own personal resources canvassing for support and touring the length and breadth of the state. I have done that and met major party leader across the state and I am still meeting many of the potential delegates to seek their support. So, I am contesting and competing with other aspirants on the field.

    What has been the response of the stakeholders to your ambition?

    I have been very surprised because I didn’t believe that, 16 weeks after indicating my interest, I will be the candidate to beat. In  Benin, I have nothing less than five volunteer groups. These are groups that  are excited by the hope which I represent. I haven’t printed any official materials,  but if you go across Edo State, it os littered with my banners and posters because my people  have started campaigning for me.

    What are the conditions that will guarantee a free and fair primary election?

    I have not seen any indications that there will not be a free and fair elections because the official from national level will come and conduct the primary. I dp not see why the election will not be free and fair.

    The PDP is saying that it will bounce back during the election by defeating the APC. What is your reaction?

    The PDP a sinking party. The PDP has  its own challenges and it should spend more time to ensure  it’s own survival as a  party, rather than talking about the government in power. At the federal and state levels, the APC has done so well. Nigerians love the party. The APC government has continued with the programme of trying to clean up the mess, which was created by the PDP. I think is it a pipe  dream  for anyone to imagine that the government that has done so well, that the people of the state are so happy with, that has made unprecedented  changes in the state, that has saved the state from the shame unleashed by the PDP will be defeated by the PDP.  For them to imagine in their wildest thought  that the state will go back to the mess that was created by PDP is unthinkable.

     

  • Why I want to succeed Oshiomhole, by Obaseki

    Why I want to succeed Oshiomhole, by Obaseki

    do State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Godwin Obaseki has said that he joined the governorship race to build on the foundation of sustainable development laid by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Paying tribute to the governor, Obaseki, a financial expert, described him as a sincere politician bubbling with passion for development, adding that he has succeeded in transforming the Southsouth state in the last seven years.

    The Benin-born technocrat said it is important that Oshiomhole should be succeeded by someone who understands the vision, developmental designs and the motivation for the paradigm shift in governance.

    The aspirant spoke with reporters in Lagos on his ambition, plans for the state and challenges of governance in the post-Oshiomhole era.

    He said  the state will need an administrator who is a democrat, who has experience and who can steer the affairs of Edo without lowering the standard set by the governor in this challenging period.

    Obaseki said: “In the last seven years, Edo has been blessed by an accountable government, a government that has done a lot in terms of infrastructural development. There is need for a successor who has an understanding of how to continue the development started by the governor; someone who is a democrat, someone who can manage resources now that the oil price is going down; someone who has experience, capacity and ability to manage men and materials.”

    The aspirant said the gamut of infrastructural projects undertaken by Oshiomhole, especially the 15-kilometre drainage system in Benin, the state capital, is unprecedented, adding that Edo people who will not accept the lowering of standards will continue yearn for more refurbished schools, quality teachers and other social amenities when the governor takes a bow.

    Justifying his fitness for the job, he said: “I have worked with the governor for many years. I have been part of every major policy decisions of the Oshiomhole administration in the last seven years and I understand why the decisions were taken; why, where and how they were funded. The governor has laid the foundation. It is important that somebody who understands the design should build on it.”

    Obaseki said if elected as governor, he will use the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to govern Edo and extend the pace of infrastructural development to include productive activities that are germane to job creation.

    He said Edo should also embrace the reality of diversifying into agriculture, stressing that the 200 million hectares of land are good for huge commercial agriculture.

    Obaseki dismissed the boasting by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bounce back in the state as a ruse, adding that it is a figment of imagination. He said: “The PDP is a sinking party in Edo. Which faction of the PDP are we talking about? The PDP has its challenges. It should spend time to attend to its survival. The APC has done well. It is loved by Nigerians. The government of Oshiomhole has done well, It has worked for an unprecedented change in Edo.”

  • Edo poll: Is Obaseki anointed candidate?

    Edo poll: Is Obaseki anointed candidate?

    As the succession battle rages in Edo State, many All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains want Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other party leaders to ensure a level-playing ground for aspirants warming up for the  governorship  primary. Osagie Otabor reports. 

    All is not well in the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State, as the battle over who succeeds Governor Adams Oshiomhole gathers momentum. The party primary is imminent, but there are fears that the party might implode, if the rumpus caused by Governor Oshiomhole’s choice is not handled properly.

    Oshiomhole is said to have penciled down the Chairman of his economic team, Godwin Obaseki, as his preferred successor and reportedly asked other aspirants, who are his loyalists to step down for him.

    The other aspirants include: Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Odubu and Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie; General Charles Airhiavbere; Chris Ogiemwonyi; Kenneth Imasuangbon; Chris Iyare; Don Pedro Obaseki; Blessing Agbomhere and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.

    Top contenders for the race were Ogiemwonyi, Ogie and Odubu, until  Oshiomhole dropped the bombshell. Before now, Oshiomhole had announced at a colloquium in Benin City, the state capital, that somebody sitting in the hall was capable of achieving the set out agenda for his successor. Incidentally, when he was making the assertion, virtually all the aspirants were in the hall.

    At the colloquium, Oshiomhole said Obaseki offered to serve without payment, but there are those who alleged that the amount he collects as commission from the loans sourced by the state is far more than that of officials on salary. It was also the first time Oshiomhole asked some of his cabinet members, including Ogie, Obaseki and Odubu, to speak on issues about his administration and post 2016. After the event, some APC members said they knew who the governor would pick as his successor.

    It was learnt that Governor Oshiomhole told Ogie, at a meeting attended by the member representing Estako Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Shaibu, to collapse his campaign structure and support Obaseki.

    Oshiomhole was reported to have told them that his achievement, including the payment of salaries and project executions, despite cash crunch, was largely due to the advice offered by Obaseki. Ogie was said to have rejected the governor’s directive and insisted on stepping down for another aspirant, but not Obaseki.

    A top APC source told our reporter that Ogie bluntly told the governor that he (Ogie) had been very loyal and focused on delivering the dreams of the governor.

    Oshiomhole has told his loyalists to start marketing Obaseki, even though some said Obaseki was not a sellable material. The source said Oshiomhole would simply say, “Go and market him.”

    The source said Oshiomhole has decided to use individual capacity to deliver rather than loyalty in seeking for a successor, should the move for Obaseki fail. Besides, Oshiomhole has reportedly told emissaries sent to lobby on behalf of some aspirants that the ticket was open to any contender and that he has only one vote.

    Some analysts have said that Oshiomhole’s push for Obaseki, despite the stiff resistance from some members of his cabinet and party chieftains was because Oshiomhole believed he could repeat what he did in the 2011 general elections when he led vigorous campaigns that saw the elections of PDP defectors, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and Hon. Samson Osagie, despite reports of non-performance of Uzamere. Critics, however, said times have changed following the introduction of some policies, especially the property tax law, which they claim have reduced Oshiomhole’s popularity.

    Besides the many battles fought by Oshiomhole, the push for Obaseki to pick the APC ticket to succee him would perhaps be Oshiomhole’s greatest battle. Sources said Oshiomhole has begun wooing party chieftains, but many are still refusing the candidacy of Obaseki.

    Obaseki is rumoured to be favoured and backed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote. His emergence, according to his supporters, would lead to industrial boost  as many critical economic roads have been constructed. Critics, however, said not a single investment has been attracted to the state by Obaseki-led economic team. critics say he should have been simply called Economic Adviser to the governor, because the members of the economic Team that started off with the governor have since pulled out. They pointed at Shoprite Shopping Mall and Dangote Fertilizer plant have failed to materialise despite initial assurances by the government.

    Several odds have been adduced why the choice of Obaseki is causing ripples in the APC and among the party chieftains. Obaseki, according to some APC chieftains, has no political structure on ground. He has always described himself as a technocrat in government and not a politician. In many political rallies, Obaseki was said not to have provided any funding for any group, nor was he physically present.

    Another setback for Obaseki is that he is accused of not being a card-carrying member of the APC and has always travelled out of the state during elections. Some even alleged he does not possess a voter’s card in Edo State because they have never seen him vote in any of the elections in the state, the last being the general elections of April 2015.

    Unlike other aspirants that have built political structures either through philanthropic gestures or funding party activities ahead of the party primaries, Obaseki since he joined the Oshiomhole’s administration appeared not keen on seeking elections as he hardly grants press interview or spoke on any issues concerning the APC.

    Also, Bini leaders in Edo South senatorial district are insisting that the governor should not unilaterally chooses a candidate from the zone. The APC has not zoned the governorship slot to any zone, but it is believed that an aspirant from the Edo South may  likely emerge the party’s candidate because the Binis are rooting for a candidate  from their zone.

    The lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Crosby Eribo, re-echoed the Bini leaders stand when he said that APC leaders, and not a particular leader, would endorse the candidate for the party.

    He said: “Any attempt to impose a particular candidate was capable of creating crisis in the party which I am sure the governor will not want, as the leader of the party.

    “I have heard people saying that the governor told them that Obaseki is the candidate. For me, that is not true because as the lawmaker representing Egor, the governor should have told me but he has not and that is why I don’t believe that story. The governor has been in the forefront of the fight against godfatherism in the state and thank God he has done it well and we are happy.

    “He also believes in the mantra of let the people lead and that has changed the politics of Edo State. So, I don’t see the governor now coming to make himself another godfather by anointing somebody unknown to us. We have come to the level where we now have the opportunity to choose who we want.”

    The ambition of a cousin of Obaseki, Don Pedro, has also caused division in the larger Obaseki family on who to support. Don Pedro has already received the blessings of his family and has insisted he would not step down for anybody.

    Describing the governor’s alleged endorsement as a rumour, Don Pedro said Edo could not be excluded from the change mantra of the APC.

    He said: “It is a rumour. This is not the time to be bothered about an indoor one-man endorsement. We have seen  and supported one-man one-vote. We should be working towards moving the state forward.

    “I see myself as the Joshua that will take the state to the promised land. I have told my family members about my quest and they have asked me to go ahead.”

    A top party official told our reporter that the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, is also not happy about the governor’s position that some aspirants should step down for Obaseki. According to him, Chief Odigie-Oyegun preferred a situation where every aspirant will be given opportunity to participate in a free and fair primaries.

    It appears most Bini leaders are visiting the alleged sins of Obaseki’s  grand father, Agho Obaseki, against the Benin Monarchy during the reign of Oba Ovoranmen. Agho Obaseki was said to have collaborated with the colonial masters to suppress the Benin Monarchy and even wanted to become an Oba.

    The youngest aspirant, Blessing Agbomhere, said Oshiomhole was ‘only testing the waters’ with his support for Obaseki.

    Blessing, who spoke at the town hall meeting last week, noted that the people of state would decide who emerged as the next governor, adding that his team was carefully studying the APC constitution to ensure that the supremacy of the constitution is ensured during the party primaries.

    His words: “Governor Oshiomhole is an individual. He can decide to support whomever he chooses. Remember in politics, there is deceit.

    “A time will come when people will analyse the history, successes and failures of these aspirants. Obaseki is the biggest mistake Oshiomhole can make in Edo State.

    “Oshiomhole is only testing the waters. He is not supporting Obaseki and he will not support Obaseki. Obaseki does not have the quality and qualifications to govern Edo State. Dangote cannot produce the governor of Edo State.

    “As the chairman of Edo economic team, Obaseki was given the resources and the finances to bring investment to Edo State. He said he worked for Dangote and brought him to Edo State. They were given land and spent billions on it only to abandon it to the detriment of Edo people.”

    Supporters of Obaseki’s aspiration are of the view that Oshiomhole would work hard to win more APC chieftains to support Obaseki. The supporters said the Benin monarch had long forgiven the Obasekis. They alluded to the fact that the Obaseki title was made hereditary and a former Chairman of the Nigeria Permier League, Oyuki Obaseki, was recently made a top Palace Chief.

    Oshiomhole at a meeting with some traditional rulers said his choice of a successor must be someone who believes in the state as well as has the capacity to manage it.

    According to Oshiomhole: “May God give us a governor that will put Edo people first; that will respect the traditional institution and  work for the unity of our people across the 192 wards.

    “I think all of us must work together to ensure that we have a governor who, first and foremost, believes in  Benin, and who believes in the state, because if someone does not believe in the state, and he has power, he will help himself. Running a government is different from running a private enterprise. When you are running a government, you must have the interest of the people. The second is to have the capacity to manage finances prudently because you may wish to do your best, but you cannot give what you don’t have. If you don’t have the brain, if you don’t have the knowledge and you don’t have the capacity, you will not be able to do it. So, we need people who can apply resources creatively.”

    A Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Oshiomhole, Nasamu Jacobs, said the economic team led by Obaseki had in the last seven years, worked tirelessly behind the scene for the rapid infrastructural resurgence in the state.

    His words, “In the face of dwindling oil revenues, Godwin Obaseki and his team have had a herculean task in assisting the Comrade Governor focus emphasis on alternative sources of revenue which has in no small way stabilised the state economy.

    “Edo people  must look at the contenders, sift the serious from the pretenders, shun sentimental and primodal interests and focus on the serious issues of passion for development and the ability and capacity to harness and utilise most creatively the resources available to the state. This is where Godwin Obaseki who has shared in the Comrade Governor’s vision and mission these past years stands the best chance in keeping hope alive that the legacies of the Oshiomhole administration of which he has been a significant part will be sustained.

    “In our search,  therefore,  Edo people must look beyond those who have remained on the political dance stage for some time without any meaningul contribution to our march to progress and development.  We must search out the new breed leaders in the mould of Comrade Oshiomhole who have the qualities enunciated by him. All those jostling for the APC ticket are good people in their own right but we must pick the one who, after winning the election, will deliver the greatest good to the majority of Edo people. The Comrade Governor must lead while we the people follow in this ultimate search for a brand new and stainless governor for Edo State in 2016.”