Edo: Issues as Obaseki takes over office

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhiole last weekend bowed out of office in a blaze of glory as described by many after eight years in the saddle of  the governance of Edo State. The event also saw the foremost labour  leader commissioning laudable projects to the last days in office, a commitment that is rare among outgoing governors.

Prior to the inauguration of his successor, Governor Obaseki, a renowned Business consultant/ Investment expert,  President Muhammadu Buhari had visited the ancient city on the invitation of Oshiomhiole to commission projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Projects commissioned by Mr. President included the ultra-modern hospital. He also inspected the construction work on the 2nd East circular road and the construction work at the Queen Ede Gully Erosion site, all located in Edo South. He also commissioned the Ugbegun-Irrua Road and Edo University of Science and Technology, Iyahmo, both in Edo North and Central senatorial districts.

The commissioning was a prelude to the inauguration of Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Hon Phillip Shaibu, a former member of the House of Representatives. The event was attended by array of personalities both from the political and business class that stormed the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the event.

Some of the notable dignitaries include; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki;  Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor  Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun and the  APC governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Also at the event were former military Head of State, Dr Yakubu Gowon; Hakim Bello Osagie, former CEO UBA and Chairman Heir Foundation, Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Forte Oil Company, Femi Otedola, Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Expectedly, Edo people are in a hurry to see the new governor and his deputy hit the ground running especially in continuing with the infrastructural development of the state, which according to many require continuous attention particularly the construction and rehabilitation of inner city roads which had become a nightmare to motorists and commuters alike.

Obaseki  is receiving the mantle of leadership from his former boss and mentor with whom they have been serving the state meritoriously for almost eight years after a bitter and fierce political battle.

As chairman of the Economic and Strategy Team of Edo State, the new governor has been privileged to be part of the think-tank that formulated and implemented government’s policies and programmes since inception which is why he is expected to hit the ground running immediately, consolidating on initiated development projects and embarking on new ones.

In other words as a government of continuity with a lot of promise and considering the strategic role he played, Obaseki may not embark on white elephant projects or dissipate energy and scarce resources probing his predecessor in office as is often the case when an opposition party triumph in an election as part of perhaps attempts to blackmail the outgone administration.

So, the new governor, apart from the initial teething challenge of assembling his cabinet, which should be done with, in a matter of weeks, will have to think outside the box and ensure unimpeded day-to-day running of government machinery entrusted in his care as chief executive of the Heartbeat of the nation.

It is also expected that unlike the All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government that spent over a year blaming the past administrations since May 1999, for the nation’s socio-economic woes; Obaseki in the opinion of political analysts cannot afford to indulge in blame games as his party has to take full responsibility for the achievements and shortcomings of the outgoing administration.

Obaseki, unlike when Oshiomhole took over the mantle of leadership met a stiff and unfriendly state house of assembly which poised as clog in the wheel of progress. Most of the projects sent to the house then were subjected to political consideration rather than the interest of the masses.

The new governor is coming at a time when his party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, controls majority  of lawmaker which portends that his request no doubt will receive express passage.

Again analyst have posited  that Obaseki’s vast experience  on wealth creation and business acumen will be added advantage for him and his team to explore other areas of economic development in order for his administration to achieve it agenda for the people even in the face of the economic recession the nation find itself.

Part of Obaseki’s prosperity plan for the people include; focus on economic empowerment especially providing the enabling environment for would-be investors in agro business, according to political observers is one that should be tackled seriously given that food security is the best form of security and the fact that Edo is largely an agrarian state with abundant arable land.

Obaseki, shortly after inspecting the guard of honour  in his speech, expressed gratitude to Oshiomhole for his immense support. “I wish to give glory to God for seeing us through a very peaceful election where the will of the people prevailed. I have the rare honour and I’m proud of being sworn in today barely a fortnight after His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo uku, Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, ascended the throne of Benin Kingdom”, the governor said.

“I am humbled and proud of succeeding a governor, who, in the last eight years, provided dedicated, fearless, inspired leadership that has transformed our great state in ways in which most people considered impossible. Taking the reins of office from my leader and mentor, Adams Oshiomhole, is an honour that I will always treasure. I will always respect and hold dear his love, confidence, counsel and inspiration.

“ I want to thank you Comrade Governor in the presence of all and before the whole world for being the leader that you have been for the people of Edo. I want to assure you that as we take over today from where you stopped, we have resolved to build on your legacy. The responsibility of leading the march of Edo people to a greater tomorrow is mine, that of my deputy governor and that of the government I will be announcing shortly.

“Many of the fundamental major socio-economic development has been put in place by you Comrade Oshiomhole, we need to strengthen and expand the infrastructure that has been established so that we can have a foundation of which to build a new Edo State of our passionate dream.

“We will need to build and sustain a robust human intellectual, philosophical and even metaphysical infrastructure because, without them, it is virtually impossible to attain significant progress and derive the extraordinary value that we desire from our effort as we build a great Edo State. To this end, during the campaign, I declared that my mission was to achieve prosperity for my people by progressing the work of those who came before me. That is the only way to shame those who have been critising the APC and President Buhari of non-performance.

As Obaseki savour in the euphoria of his inauguration, his main opponent at the September 28th 2016, governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, who is challenging the victory of Obaseki gathered with his supporters and session of some Civil society groups at Akpakpava Street as the inauguration ceremony was ongoing floated a new body named Mandate Recovery Group, (MRG).

Ize Iyamu, who is hopeful that the Court will upturn Obaseki’s victory in his message appealed to all his supporters to remain calm, non-violent, hopeful and prayerful as he believes the judiciary will vindicate him as the duity elected governor of the state.

He said he was committed to the actualisation of the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Edo state who turned out en masse on September 28, 2016 to vote for him as the PDP candidate.

“I will do everything to ensure the actualisation of the mandate they gave to me. I cannot be compromised, I cannot be bought and I have faith in the judiciary, I have faith in God”.

The PDP candidate who appreciated the mammoth crowd of supporters who turned up for the unveiling ceremony of the Edo Mandate Recovery Group, appreciated all who have remained steadfast and committed to supporting him all this while.

He said, “Edo people should also have faith, and on no condition should they resort to violence. It is going to be a long road and in the course of this journey, a man who did not win will be temporarily sworn in; but we must not leave the state. The will of God will be done at the end of the day”.