Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo,
says his pact with the citizens of the state is to defend their interests and
to end godfatherism.
Obaseki spoke while hosting ward
leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo local government area
of the state.
He asked the leaders to join him
to fight godfatherism in the state which he said threatens the democratic
rights of the people.
He said he came into office with
a mission to further the fight against godfatherism started by Adams
Oshiomhole, former governor of the state, but that it was unfortunate the
latter is “reneging on the mandate” .
“Comrade Oshiomhole came to me,
asking that we join forces to fight and bring an end to the practice of
godfatherism in the state, ” he said.
“The partnership helped us in
changing the narrative of development in the state. This led me into politics.
I am into politics to better the lives of Edo people. We believed Oshiomhole
and followed him to fight godfatherism.
“He said godfatherism is not good
but today he is saying godfatherism is good. He said let the people lead but
today he wants to lead the people, against their interest.”
He said with the resources
available in the state, the people have no business being poor, and that the
bad leadership style adopted in the past was responsible for poverty.
“Any politics that doesn’t
benefit the majority of the people is bad politics. The resources we have in
the state is to be used for the benefits of the people of Edo State, not a few
politicians,” he said.
“Our people have no business
being poor but our leadership has brought us here.”
The governor said he is confident
he would secure the ticket of his party for a second term in office.
“I am in politics to improve the
life of Edo people. We have done more in three years with less resources.
Imagine what will happen in eight years,” he said.
“When they say I am a mosquito, I
was never worried; I told them that mosquitoes can bite. The bite can cause
malaria and if not well-treated, it can kill someone. Those bitten are already
on life support but we pray they don’t die.
“The last time an incumbent ran
for governorship in our party in the state, it was a consensus.
“It will happen again; we will
all agree on consensus. Whether direct or indirect primary, you, the people,
will vote. Our plan is on the election, not the primaries.
“God has continued to fight for
us. All the strategies and antics against this government has failed. We will build
this party and you will be the envy of all others who are not in our party but
we are sure they will join us soon.”
