As we gradually move towards the end of the second tenure of the Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole led Government, activities are also mounting up as different persons and groups claim to be shopping for the right successor to the Comrade Governor.
Though some persons see these self-imposed searchers as unsent, and as such an exercise in futility, some of us see it as an attempt to help consolidate on the achievements of the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole led administration, thereby taking Edo State to a higher level. If this is truly their purpose may God help them. As for me, without much Ado, I say that the right person to take over from the Comrade Governor, must be one of a perfect disposition, one who will not only continue from where the Comrade Governor is going to stop, but one who’s pedigree will ensure that the achievements of Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole is not only met but surpassed. The Comrade Governor met Edo State in a sorry and desperate situation.
Oshiomhole had little or no resources to begin his administration, a situation where curtains and cutleries were removed from government lodges.
Today, whether anybody wants to hear it or not, Oshiomhole’s achievements have surpassed all other administrations put together. Oshiomhole no doubt, is a man of strong will and ability to get to his destination safely. No doubt also that Edo State for the past seven years has been in safe hands. Agreed that the Comrade Governor is not alone in this achievements galore, he has worked in collaboration with other Edo sons and daughters who were also disenchanted with the State of neglect that Edo State was thrown into, in the eight years of PDP misrule.
Those who are moving from place to place now, looking for a credible successor to the Comrade Governor did not see the need for this, eight years ago when Edo Sate was in desperate need of rehabilitation and repositioning. Why now that the Comrade Governor and his team have brought the state out of its dark days to its present state of infrastructural and human development?
Edo people are quite able to determine who leads them come the day of November- 2016 when the present administration is expected to leave Osadebey Avenue, particularly as the Comrade Governor himself is a very successful leader. Only leaders without successors are failures. Adams Oshiomhole is a very successful leader and so, the so called search for a successor of Oshiomhole is needless, waste of time and of parochial interest.
As at today ten persons have been speculated to be interested in the race to Edo State Government House. They include Rt Hon. Dr. Pius E. Odubu, Mr. Osagie Ize-lyamu, Mr. Solomon Edebiri, Barr. Ken lmhansuangbon, Arch Mike Onolemenmen and Barr. Osarodion Ogie. Others are General Charles Airiavbere Rtd, Mr. Chris lyare, Hon. Matthew lduoriyekmwen and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Osayuki Oshodin. These are by no means, men of great qualities and proven integrity who have at one time or the other touched lives in Edo State and have contributed in one way or the other to the development and progress of Edo State
Rt. Hon. Dr Pius E. Odubu is the current Deputy Governor of Edo State and has represented Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in the House of Representative. He is also a lawyer who practiced his profession before 1999 when he went to Abuja as a Federal Legislator. With this enormous knowledge of the workings of the three tiers of government, he is no doubt a top contender for the office of Governor. He holds a Phd in Law.
General Charles Airiavbere is a retired Army General and PDP governorship candidate in the last election.
Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu, a one time Chief of Staff and Secretary to Edo State Government respectively, is an astute politician who has contributed his own quota to the political evolution of the state.
Mr. Solomon Edebiri, a business man, a philanthropist and a politician. Barr. Kenneth Imhansuangbon, aka the Rice Man is a qualified lawyer, an educationist and a philanthropist per excellence who has touched the lives of many people in the state Hon Mike Oholemenmen is an architect, and the immediate past Minister of State for Works.
Barr. Osarodion Ogie, the current Commissioner for Works, Edo State is a past Chief of Staff to the State Government, a legal luminary and a political mobilizer who also has impacted on the lives of many people while Hon. Matthew lduoriyekemwen, a two time member and majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly is a former Commissioner representing Edo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Professor Osayuki Oshodin is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin and professor emeritus who has earned a loud and standing ovation for his developmental strides in the institution. The last but not the least is Mr. Chris lyare, though not much is known about him as a result of his being a new entrant into the political arena, is a pharmacist by profession and has contributed his quota to the uplitment of lives as a community pharmacist.
Judging from the foregoing, it should not be difficult to know that all whose names are mentioned above have the pre requisite qualifications and experience to lead Edo State.
But as the saying goes, “All animals are equal but some are more equal than the others coupled with the fact that just one person is going to ascend that office of Governor, only the best shall be good enough for the state. Whoever gets there shall no doubt pull his sleeves up to overtake the achievements of the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The days of god fatherism and “we put him there” are gone for good. Edo people know how to take their destiny in their hands. Whoever must become the next governor must go through the congress and screening processes of the party. Edo people are tired of inactivity in governance.
The first eight years of this 4 republic in Edo State were wasted due to government inactivity occasioned by selective appointments by the godfathers.
God bless Edo State
Oba ghato kpere Ise!
