There is so much scheming, internal and external plotting as well as voodoo prophecies as to who succeeds Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The plot is even getting to do or die levels in some quarters. Some are cascading it to some ethnic plot. Some say it is the turn of Edo South. Some others say it is the turn of Edo Central and others are of the view that it doesn’t matter if Edo North also produced the successor.
There is, however, nothing wrong for people to have wishes. Wishes of such nature must be based on truism, facts, figures and much more; justice, fairness and equity. Other consideration for the successor are competence, pedigree of the candidate and readiness to serve as a servant leader and not a Master or bossy leader.
It is important for Edo people to understand where we are at the moment before looking ahead to a successor of the Comrade Governor. Before the downturn in the nation’s economy, particularly with the plummeting of crude oil price in the international market, the Edo State Comrade Governor has raised the stake for any successor.
Adams Oshiomhole touched all sectors of the state since assumption of office almost seven years ago. Just as President Muhammadu Buhari is being accused of too slow to commence action in government that was how oshiomhole was accused by the dismantled PDP that he was too slow and ‘planting flowers.’ Some said he was talking too much. It was not long into his first one year when bulldozers started speaking for him. The urban renewal project which cuts across all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State showing massive modern road networks with all the latest walkways , street lights, and flower lawns. Massive drainage projects of the Oshiomhole-led administration has helped to control flood and erosion menace that was almost going to submerge the whole city of Benin City and Auchi. But for the Benin Water Storm project and other drainages embarked upon by the present administration, perhaps Benin city would have been swallowed up by flood now that it is rainy season. Where would people living around five junction or Tomline would be by now? The environmental sanitation situation has been energised and made quite functional. The street cleaning and maintenance programme has also provided employment for thousands of Edo people. The Five Junction in Benin is now a beautiful sight to behold. It is now a modern ring road, well asphalted with massive underground drainage, walk ways and street lights. Almost ten roads in the neighborhood have been reconstructed to add to the beauty of the area.
Water has been roundly provided for Edo people. Edo North and Central which used to experience guinea worm outbreak as a result of citizens relying on unwholesome sources of water now have water flowing from modern boreholes fixed by the Edo State Government. This has drastically reduced water borne diseases which use to be prevalent in Edo North and Central.
Realising that education is one of the biggest industry of Edo people and that it provides the foundation for the development of any society, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has undertaken educational revolution in the state code named “the red roof revolution” as a cardinal objective of his administration. The red roof revolution must be sustained by any successor of Adams Oshiomhole. Besides the massive reconstruction and renovation of public primary and secondary schools across the state, they have been equipped with modern instructional and learning equipment and materials. The educational system is being sanitized in a way that it would compare to international standards.
Even the tertiary institutions are getting bigger and better deal than it used to be. The subventions to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Chief Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor and the subventions to the College of Education, Igueben and Michael Imoudu College of Physical and Health Education have been consciously jerked up while the Institute of Management and Technology, Usen as well as College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi have been upgraded and their courses accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). A new University of Science and Technology has been established in Uzairue and will soon kick off academic work as more efforts are on to keep education at pace with what obtains in developed societies. The next governor of the state must ensure that these universities are well established and made to function optimally.
The Health sector has witnessed massive transformation as well. Hospitals are being upgraded across the state. The Central Hospital along Sapele Road is home to multi-million Naira project, which when completed would compare to any modern hospital in the world. It targets bringing an end to Edo people travel overseas for medical attention. Government has assured that the project will be completed in this year, 2015. The next governor must replicate the same quality of hospital in the other two senatorial districts of Edo State.
The Oshiomhole Government has done excellently well to support security agencies to combat insecurity in the state and greatly reduced it from what it used to be. It has continued to support the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Air force, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp as well as Neighborhood Watch massively to discharge their functions. We are thankful to God that our own Son, Solomon Arase, a man of great integrity and professional to the core is helping to deal with crime in the state. The next governor must work to provide adequate security for all Edo people irrespective of their status or where they live.
There is no doubt that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has upped the stakes for all those jostling to take over from him at the completion of his tenure. It is also very true the same Oshiomhole would be a strong determining factor as to who succeeds him. The average Edo people are not too keen on the issue of tribe of the successor. What people are keen to see is a man with the charisma, wisdom, courage, expertise and candour to serve as a servant leader. A man who would build on the solid foundation laid by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and not those traveling from one community to the other shopping for a successor whereas their mind is cast on a particular candidate.
Those aspiring to be Oshiomhole’s successor must be ready to make personal sacrifices. They must be change agents and must be above board free of corruption and nepotism. That way, Edo people would be taking a leap into the future with boldness and happiness that they deserve.
Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole
