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.
pmnews
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