Political heavyweights and members of the All Progressives Congress from Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, have closed ranks and vowed to stop Governor Godwin Obaseki from producing his successor in the September 21 governorship election.
This position was taken at a meeting tagged “Edo South APC Leadership Family Conversation” convened by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Dennis Idahosa, and the former Edo South National Assembly member, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, on Sunday night.
Leader of the party in Edo South, Pius Odubu, said Obaseki’s actions and policies have underdeveloped the state, with tales of unfulfilled promises, and urged party faithful to work together to deliver the APC in the election.
He said, “With the calibre of leaders here today, Edo South is poised to rise again. We have realised our failings and are determined that this time around, we will deliver the APC. It is a straight contest between the APC and the PDP.
“Obaseki’s action have underdeveloped the state. When the APC was at the helm of affairs, you saw massive road construction and rehabilitation across the 18 local government areas, hospitals were built, and civil servants were paid as of when due.
“Sadly, all the gains recorded by Oshiomhole were reversed. While Oshiomhole’s government was action-oriented, the PDP’s government was all about signing the Memoranda of Understanding. During Oshiomhole’s government, we paid respect to traditional institutions.”
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on his part, said winning Edo South for the APC is a task that must be done, adding that for any party to win the governorship, it must first win Edo South Senatorial District.
He said the governor must not be allowed to install a successor.
Idahosa also called on the region to back the party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, saying as the running mate to Okpebholo and a House of Representatives member, he has delivered on his promises to the Ovia Federal Constituency.
He said that the APC candidate believes in less talk and more action, noting that he would make Edo better again.
Responding, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said Odubu should advise the APC governorship candidate to talk to the Edo people instead of dwelling on the past
He said, “I think Edo people will appreciate it more if the former deputy governor tells his governorship candidate to talk to Edo people and should stop telling us what happened in the past.
“All he is saying is false. The present government makes sure that the salaries of workers are paid on the 26th of every month.
“We also know that this government has constructed over 1,000 roads since it came into power.
“We have built and equipped neighbourhood clinics in the 198 wards and the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is the best equipped in the South-South.”
