Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has again insisted that there is no issue between himself and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as serious efforts were being made to resolve issues believed to have been created by third parties in the state.
Obaseki who spoke in Benin on Monday at the 80th birthday celebration of the former natioal chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, assured that efforts were on in pursuit of peace in the state.
At the ceremony which witnessed political heavyweights from both the ruling APC and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Oshiomhole was, however, conspicuously absent.
Present at the ceremony were the national Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, who led other PDP chieftains to grace the occasion; Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, state chairman of the PDP,, Chief Dan Orbih and other state executives of the PDP.
At the church service were the wife of Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife, Betty; Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Frank Okiye; the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, Minister Designate, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; representative of the Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II; Commissioners, members of Edo State House of Assembly, among others.
The face off came into the open on June 17, following a night time inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly which saw the emergence of his candidate, Mr. Frank Okiye (Esan North East 1) as speaker by nine out of the 24 members-elect.
Obaseki said: “We have met – me and my predecessor in office – and fortunately, we do not have any fundamental issues. And because we do not have any fundamental issues, I believe that whatever third parties are trying to propagate I am sure we can talk over it. I assure you that very soon things will return to normalcy in Edo State.”
He announced that the soon-to-be-completed Civil Service Training Centre would be named after Chief Odigie-Oyegun, for his contributions to the development of the state and the country at large.
Speaking earlier at a thanksgiving mass held at the Saint Paul Catholic Church, Bishop of Archdiocese of Benin, Rev. Fr. Augustine Akubeze, described the celebrant as one of the few former governors ‘who is living out his faith.’
Father Akubeze said that going by his antecedent, it was obvious that Oyegun did not join politics to fool the electorate but to convince them.
The clergyman who urged political leaders to respect constituted authorities said political leaders should know that anybody who wants peace must work for justice.
On the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly, Akubeze advised Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki to meet and discuss on ways to move the state forward.
Akubueze said Edo people saw Oshiomhole as a leader who aligned with the poor and Governor Obaseki a technocrat who believes in rewarding merit and ensuring that the resources of the state are used for the good of the people.
He emphasized: “The quality of leadership Obaseki is providing is commendable. We see your works on roads in all the three senatorial districts, we see your work in schools. You have continue the good works of your predecessor.
“Edo State needs men like Obaseki and Oshiomhole to come together for the good of the people they love so much. We have seen political crisis because of the issue in the Edo State House of Assembly. What is surprising to many people is that we have never seen an intra party crisis of this level.
“All elected members of House are of the same party and yet the state is in the news for the wrong reasons. We call on all leaders to embrace the call for peace and justice. We commend the state government for observing the rule of law by using judicial procedure to seek vindication of its rights. The people of Edo State are interested in the dividends of democracy. They want good roads, portable water, job opportunities. They want security of live and properties, opportunity for everyone to develop potentials. We want to call on Oshiomhole and Obaseki to discuss ways to move Edo forward.
“Edo State had gotten opportunity to produce national political leaders. We must ensure that the rest of the nation see us capable of providing the nation with national leaders. God willing one day a president of the Nigeria will come from Edo State. Political conflict within the same party erodes the hard earned credibility of Edo people.
“Many Nigerians are not happy about the state of insecurity in our country. A government cannot claim to be legitimately presiding over the country whe it has no control over terrorising of Nigerians. Across the county there is constant fears among the citizens. A government that wants to grow must be ready to be criticised and listened to the citizens. Many Nigerians rightly feel the government is not listening to them. The loss of lives must never be politicised.”
MInisterial designate, Dr. Ehanire Osagie, said Oyegun deserved all the accolades and being celebrated having achieved what many people dreamt of.