Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has berated his predecessor and National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for allegedly “abandoning his “let the people lead” mantra shortly after the latter exited office.
Obaseki also said he came into office with a mission to further the fight against godfatherism started by Oshiomhole, but expressed concern that the ex-governor is “reneging on the mandate”.
“Let the people lead” is a popular phrase Oshiomhole often deployed to taunt perceived godfathers that power resides in the hands of the people during his time at the Edo government House.
However, Obaseki who addressed ward leaders of APC in Oredo Local Government Area called on them to join him as he continues to fight godfatherism in the state.
He insisted that his pact with Edo people was to defend their interests and dethrone godfatherism, which according to him, threatens to deprive them of their democratic rights.
The governor said: “Comrade Oshiomhole came to me, asking that we join forces to fight and bring an end to the practice of godfatherism in the state.
“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 (Oshiomhole) 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.”
Obaseki said he would always stand with the people irrespective of the circumstance, adding, “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.
“When they said 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,” he said.
Chairman Edo State Chapter of the APC, Anslem Ojezua, called on the ward leaders in Oredo to support the Governor who according to him, “is their son”.
