14th March, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Ahead of the delegate election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, holding in June for election of the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election, there are strong indications that much work still needs to be done to ensure Dr. Godwin Obaseki, the preferred aspirant of Governor Adams Oshiomhole acceptable to the party members.
The indications emerge during recent meetings of members of the group, Edo Accord Initiative (EAI), which is spearheading the ‘marketing’ of Dr. Obaseki to delegate members of the party, held at Akoko-Edo, Owan East and Owan West local government areas of the state, where the people accused Governor Oshiomhole of marginalisation, neglect and failure to fulfil his election promises to them.
In Akoko-Edo, the coordinator of the group, Sylvester Amune Onimisi, who accused Governor Oshiomhole of marginalising their people in the stream of things, called on the aspirant not to forget them if he eventually gets elected as governor of the state.
Onimisi however requested that the position of the deputy governor be ceded to them in the next political dispensation and also the establishment of a campus for the newly established Edo University, Iyamoh, in one of their communities.
Also in Owan East, the people decried the marginalisation in the area of political appointments and infrastructural development in the area.
The coordinator of EAI in the area, Tony Ikhianvbode, did not mince words when he said that Governor Oshiomhole should come and fulfil his promises to renovate and upgrade the Michael Imodu College of Physical Education, Afuze, the dualisation of their major roads and establishment of secondary schools in their communities, if he truly desires their support for his ‘preferred aspirant.’
Similar complains were also made by the people of Owan West who accused the aspirant, Dr. Obaseki of recognising only a selected few when he visited the area.
Responding to the barrages of requests and accusations, Comrade Emeka Umeh, who represented the Chairman and Founder of Edo Accord Initiative, Dennis Idahosa, informed the people that Edo Accord Initiative is formed to bridge the gap between the people and the government.
He said the Initiative is neither a political party nor a campaign organisation, but was formed to mobilise support for the APC as a party and to create awareness and support for the preferred aspirant of Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the September governorship election in the state, because “there is need for continuity” in government.
According to him him, Dr. Godwin Obaseki has emphasised that for him, governance is not “all about talk and talk, but action, action, industrialisation of and employment for the people for greater and prosperous Edo state.”
Also addressing the members, the state woman leader of EAI, Comrade Benedicta Attoh, said the group will push for more political appointments for women and their involvement in policy formulation, with a view to balance gender equality.