Benin elite hail Obaseki’s performance, knock Oshiomhole
By Joy Okosieme
Edo elite under the auspices of Concerned Elite Citizens of United Ogbe, has hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for his purposeful leadership style and landmark achievements across various sectors of the state.
The elite comprising retired Professors, Directors, Engineers, Lawyers, and Permanent Secretaries of Ogbe origin, in a statement issued at a press conference in Benin City, Edo State on Tuesday, said they are “not unaware of the unveiled manipulations many of which are utterly illogical by the embattled erstwhile National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. We emphatically reject in its entirety the tendency to lock two Benin sons in a game of death.”
The statement was signed by Engr, lziengbe Eghomwan, Sunday lyalekhue, Peter Obobaifo, Efe Thomas Obanor, Godwin Okpefa and David Nosa lmafidon, on behalf of Ogbenaghidi Brothers and United Ogbe People.
According to them, “We are particularly alarmed to know that most of the opposing foot soldiers on the different platforms and parties are Ogbe young people and we cannot afford to be in self-denial to lose any of our children. Hence, we make this order, not appeal.
“The Ogbe people have been constrained to suffer the non-eulogical nomenclatures which make one ashamed to be classified and stereotyped as a never-do-well, agbero, tout and egbe-wedger once you claim to come from Ogbe.
“Conversely, we, the undersigned elite are made up mainly of retired Professors, Directors, Engineers, Lawyers, and Permanent Secretaries of Ogbe origin. We are very proud of the monumental achievements of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in our very own quarter – Ogbe and environs.
“The roads in Ogbe have been tarred (asphalted), Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium (renovated to International and Olympic standards), Central Motor Park (under massive construction), revamp of the Nigerian Observer Stable, Staff Training Centre, High Court of Justice and the State Secretariat Complex are visible projects executed to our eternal satisfaction and commendation. The Ogbe people are proud compatriots of our amiable Governor.”
The elite noted that persons opposed to the reelection of Governor Obaseki have not been able to show tenable reason for their decision, adding: “They however concede that: He provided first rate buildings and equipment at the Government Science and Technical College, formerly called Benin Technical College; Renovation of schools and training of different categories of teachers including the EdoBest initiative which has attracted many other states to come and learn the rudiments from Edo State.
“Others are provision of Digital Equipment, the Information and Communication Technology Hub and ongoing CCETC-Ossiomo Power Plant and the Modular Refinery at Ologbo are some of the magnificent achievements they have not been able to fault.”
The group further said: “From the general appraisal of his leadership style, the many ‘sins’ of Obaseki can be narrowed down to his unbelievable courage to frontally attack the nuisance of touts in past regimes and the nefarious activities of the ubiquitous Community Development Associations (CDAs) which Our Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll referred to as menace.
“With the foregoing, we the Benins fought the British and we are proud warriors but having to war against ourselves at the instance and instigation of people from within and outside Edo State is an insult to our collective wisdom.
“lf Obaseki and Osagie are genuinely fighting for the people, the will of the people must be allowed to prevail in a free, fair and peaceful election. The Ogbe and Edo people know who their responsible son is that will protect them against the bondage of touts ordering the flogging of professors on the streets or the CDA activists selling one plot of land to five people while they say ‘ nothing dey happen’. May the Almighty and our ancestors deliver Edo State and people from the hands of enemies of the state.”
