. Why Gov Obaseki Deserve Second Term
By Hamilton Nwosa, Head, The New DiplomatPoll Tracking Desk
As the political battle for next year’s governorship election hot up in Edo State, the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) and the Niger Delta Professionals Forum (NDPF) have implored the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to support the second term aspiration of the incumbent governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Both groups spoke separately at the weekend. While CAN addressed a press conference in Benin City, the Niger Delta Professionals Forum (NDPF) spoke in Warri, the Delta State commercial hub where it urged Comrade Oshiomhole to retrace his steps and endorse the candidature of Governor Obaseki on the basis of his appreciable performance which has become a thing of joy to Edo State people and indeed people of the old Bendel State(Edo and Delta States were previously known as Bendel before the creation of both States in 1991.)
Olorogun Oshare Joshua who spoke on behalf of NDPF as its National Organizing Secretary said “ it was wrong to attempt to discourage Mr Godwin Obaseki from seeking second term when he is eminently qualified on the basis of his robust performance and strong credentials as a solid professional who has done well for the overall development of Edo State.” Olorogun Joshua appealed to Oshiomhole to sheathe his sword while also urging Obaseki to continue to do more for the people of Edo State.
In the same vein, CAN said at the weekend that Obaseki should be allowed to go for second term for the development and advancement of Edo State state. CAN noted that Edo people are quite pleased and happy with the performance of Governor Obaseki, stressing that the national chairman of APC and immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole should not “allow some few individuals soil the good name and legacy he has enshrined on the chronicles of achievers and builders of Edo land”.
Chairman of CAN In Edo State, Bishop Oyonude Kure, who spoke at a press briefing in Bénin City, pleaded with the former governor to unite the APC as a political party in Edo State and work as a father to build “unity in the interest of the peace of the state to ensure continuity of the administration of Obaseki.”
The Religious leader who revealed that CAN held separate meetings with Oshiomhole and Obaseki on October 31st and November 3rd , this year with the aim of resolving the political differences that have befallen both of them, said the subject matters involved in the crisis are not beyond reconciliation.
Kure who itemized some the subject matters between Obaseki and Oshiomhole as the opening of Edo Specialist hospital, constitution of dissolved Boards and Parastatal, politics of exclusion, award of contracts to foreigners, inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly, attack on Oshiomhole, attack on Obaseki and the Oba of Lagos and severance allowance to Dr. Pius Odubu noted that they are matters that could be well addressed by both parties.
While urging Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole to bury their hatchets and focus on the overall goal of developing Edo State, said the pre-occupation of both parties should be on their original vision for Edo State which is to move the State forward.
He said: “We urged His Excellency not to relent in his effort towards the good governance of the state and to pursue the issue of inclusion by resolving the issue with aggrieved party members within the ambit of the rule of law so as to join forces together to ensure continuity in the art of governance of the state.Following the uncommon developmental strides made thus far by the administration of Obaseki, the Edo people are convinced that his choice was not misplaced and are therefore grateful.”
