3rd January, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Against the backdrop of rumours that governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has given his support to a member of his kitchen cabinet, for this year’s governorship election in the state, a former aide of the governor and founder of Edo Accord, Dennis Idahosa, has affirmed that the position is open for all intending politicians to contest in the election.
Idahosa who is the immediate past commissioner for investment under governor Oshiomhole, made this known over the weekend during an interview with P.M. NEWS, in Benin.
According to him, “the field is absolutely free for all aspirants, and the most eligible and most competent one will be chosen for that position.”
P.M. NEWS reported that some aspirants have kicked and expressed their displeasure over rumours that the governor ordered his aides to ‘go and market’ the Chairman of the State Economic Team, Dr. Godwin Obaseki, popularly referred to as Dangote man, to the people of the state.
The alleged instruction by the governor to his trusted loyalists to start marketing Obaseki as his preferred successor, reportedly stirred anxiety and apprehension among leaders and stalwarts of the APC in the state.
But commenting on the issue, Idahosa said: “Basically, I don’t believe that is true, because, based on information that I heard, a large number of different organisations and leaders of the party, brought the suggestion to the Comrade Governor to act on. And based on their recommendation, he acted on it by supporting a particular candidate. So, actually, it wasn’t Adams who suggested it to the people, rather, it was the people who suggested it to him.”
The former commissioner affirmed that his group, Edo Accord, will support whoever becomes the preferred candidate of the APC for the election, after a thorough “assessment and we find out that the person is eligible,” adding that “Edo Accord stands for something very unique, it’s about the people, it’s not going to be politics as usual.
“Our group stands to support whatever that is good for the people of Edo state. If we have the candidate with the right manifesto, we will do whatever it takes to support that individual. But as we speak, we belong to one political party, which is APC.
”Edo Accord is an independent group, it does not belong to any aspirant. It is 100 percent sponsored by Dennis Idahosa for the good of the people of Edo state. So it has nothing to do with any aspirant.
“So whoever that is competent and will take Edo state forward, we will support, but if we discover that the person is not in that position to take the state to the next level, we will question it,” Idahosa said.
He however pledged his loyalty to governor Oshiomhole and expressed trust in his ability to present a credible and worthy candidate to fly the flag of the APC at the election.
“Adams is very smart and one of the most outstanding leaders I’ve ever seen in my generation. So, if he suggests anybody to us, we will know that the person will be the best choice for the good of the people of Edo state.
“Like I said before, whoever the people suggest to the Comrade Governor and we see that his political manifesto is good for the people of Edo state and that he is competent to continue the good work of Adams Oshiomhole, we will support. But until then, we are going to stay neutral to watch and see what happens, just for the good people of Edo state.
“Edo Accord is going to be the bridge between the people of the state and the government. We are supporting the youths and women and we’ll make sure the legacy of Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole continues for the benefit of the people of Edo state,” he said.