From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom, HRH Anselm Eidenojie II, has declared that he is in charge of the political affairs of the Uromi people and does not owe any political leader an explanation about his kingdom.
He stated this while playing host to Governor Adams Oshiomhole who led the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Philip Shaibu to seek his blessings and support. The Onojie who said he was impressed by the performance of the governor in his less than eight years in office, recalled that he was in the entourage of the Comrade Governor last year to Commission three roads and a town hall in Uromi which were part of the promises made by the Oshiomhole administration.
He dismissed the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that Uromi belongs to them, saying “I do not trust Pastor Ize Iyamu enough to become governor. My People want Godwin Obaseki. I am not a politician but a business man. Politics is not about sentiment but development”.
The traditional ruler who said he has been on the throne for the past 25 years as a ruler said he is ready to expose the dirty dealings of the opposition party in the state.
He frowned on the disrespect and desperation of Ize-Iyamu who he said, cannot be the next governor of Edo State because of a track record of under-development.
He however said Oshiomhole was his personal friend who has respected the traditional institution as the leader of the state irrespective of age and size.
In his speech, Mr. Obaseki assured the monarch and people of Uromi that he will build on the good work already started by Oshiomhole.
According to him, Uromi is the power house of the economy of Esan Land and that his government will develop the land and deal with human capital development.
“As a government, we shall be accountable to the people and continue with the developmental strides of the incumbent governor of Edo State. We are familiar with the challenges and we will deal with them”, he said.
Voters in Orhiomwon will queue behind Ize- Iyamu –Omoragbon, PDP chieftain
People of Orhiomwon local government area have resolved to support and vote for Pastor Osagie Ize –Iyamu in the forthcoming election.
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ugu Ward in Orhiomwon local government, Mr Friday Omoragbon, made this known to journalists in Benin city.
He said it would be the first attempt by an Orhiomwon citizen to aspire to the high office of a governor and commended the PDP and all Edo people for the confidence reposed in Ize-Iyamu as the standard bearer.
He insisted that the present APC regime in the state and the entire federation has not only failed in its promises to the poor in the country but has brought untold hardship to the people and deserves to be sent packing.
He said that a vote for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was the only way to ensure that the billions of Naira from the federal allocation coupled with the internally generated revenue would be judiciously used to bring about development all over the state.
He noted: “Edo people now know the difference between the PDP and the APC and the difference is clear not only in Edo State but everywhere in Nigeria. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will bring light to Edo State if voted into office as the next governor.
“When the history of Edo will be written tomorrow, historians will realize that the period when Chief Lucky Igbinedion was the governor of the state was better as he did well with the good advice of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as his Secretary
“During the PDP regime of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, there was employment of youths in Edo State as well as women empowerment compared with today where so many youths are roaming the streets of Benin City and harassing innocent traders who are trying to make ends meet”.
He called on the PDP party supporters to be calm, focused and peace loving with one another as the primary election of the party has come and gone, adding that there is no victor, no vanquished.
“The PDP was one big family and waxing stronger daily.
He lamented that in eight years, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has not found time to visit Oben in the heartland of the oil and Gas reserves which helps keep the Nigerian state afloat with export earnings.
Ize-Iyamu not an alternative to APC –KOWA candidate
Governorship candidate of KOWA Party, Mr Thompson Osadolor has said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is not an option to succeed Adams Oshiomhole as the governor of Edo State.
Speaking to journalists yesterday in Benin City, Osadolor said he remained the candidate to beat in the September 10 poll, disclosing that his campaign will be issues-based.
According to him, Ize-Iyamu, being an integral part of the infamous Lucky Igbinedion’s administration in Edo, would never be the right person to lead the state.
“Ize-Iyamu says he is a rebranded man, whether he is going to work for his people or those who are supporting him, remains best known to him.
“But as for me, it is going to be difficult because you cannot extricate yourself from those who you have been part and parcel of for decades that looted Edo state.
“He was part of Lucky Igbinedion’s administration as council chairman; also he was Chief of staff as well as Secretary to the state government under the same man.
“Yet, the same Ize-Iyamu is being supported and under the sponsorship of the same Lucky and other persons in PDP who ruined the state.
“Oshiomhole has done well but I, as the candidate of KOWA party, remains the best to take over from where he stopped,” he posited.
Osadolor who promised that his government would be hinged on human capital development, said he would lay a solid foundation for successive government of the state.
He also promised to replicate the developmental model obtainable in the developed countries of the world.
“I have tasted life in several of the advanced countries of the world and as such, I know better what good governance is. The people are yearning for good governance and I will replicate that here, what is obtainable outside the country.
“I am not going to do magic, but will build a legacy which every successive government will meet and build upon,” he said, promising to flag-off his campaign on Wednesday, next week.
I’ll revive Edo Line, Bendel Breweries –Onaiwu, APGA candidate
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the forthcoming election, Osaro Onaiwu has promised to revive the long abandoned state transport company- Edo Line as well as Bendel Breweries if given the mandate.
The governorship candidate, who made the promise yesterday while addressing dealers on tyres in James Watt area of Benin, the state capital, said he aims to achieve his promise through a private public partnership thereby attracting investors into the state.
The man popularly known as SOLUTION further added that he would provide the traders with an ambulance as well as a Fire Service truck to help ease the hazards attached to the nature of their businesses.
The APGA governorship hopeful, who said he is experienced in governance with little or no resources at his disposal, said his set objective is to ensure that every citizen of Edo State has a sense of belonging and a satisfying means of livelihood.
He explained that his goals and vision for Edo State is in line with the seven pillars on which his party- the All Progressive Grand Alliance revolves.
Royal father endorses Obaseki
The Onojie of Ubiaja, HRH Zaiki Curtis Aidenojie, has declared the support of his people for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, saying “the people of Ubiaja are solidly behind you”.
Speaking while receiving Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki and his running mate at his palace, the royal father through his spokesman, Mr. Ojezele Osezua Sunday, said: “we are happy for the various works he has done in Edo State as well as in Esan South East. On this note, I want to tell you that just like in the Bible, before Elijah departed, he handed over the mantle of leadership to Elisha. We are very much sure that is exactly what you want to do. You want to hand it over to Obaseki.
“The people of Ubiaja are solidly behind you. We want to assure you that in this election, we will support you. The type of votes you have not gotten in this local government before, this time around, you will get it. God bless you.”
Earlier, Governor Oshiomhole said the candidate of the APC would do more projects for the people.
“I am trying to show to your highness what we have done with the previous mandate, what has changed in your domain and other domains around you, to lay foundation and justification why we are able to approach you with all humility to ask for your blessing so that everything that we have done these past eight years, we can guarantee that the next governor will not do less than that, most probably much more than that. Why? Because everything and anything that we have done, we have done with the collaboration of these two men: Godwin on the executive side as the chairman of our Economic Team, his running mate as the Majority Leader in Edo State House of Assembly working with your other children to appropriate the funds without which we would not have executed these programmes.”
Also speaking, the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki assured the royal father that if voted in, his government would provide jobs for the people.
“I want to assure you that given the opportunity, we will do all within our powers to accelerate the pace of development which we started seven and half years ago”, he said.
The royal father thereafter offered prayers for the success of the APC candidate in the election.