Comrade Adams Ehi(aka Shaba), the National President of the Professional Drivers on Wheel, has reeled out a list of the conditions that will qualify anyone interested in succeeding Governor Godwin Obaseki in the State Government House (Osadebey Avenue) in 2024.
In a chat with Popular News, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart affirmed that top on the list of conditions for a sellable governorship candidate is that such an individual must accord the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, the respect he deserves.
“I am happy that a lot of aspirants have lined up to participate in the APC governorship primaries. It a sign that the party is becoming stronger. Any party where more than 30 individuals are showing interest in securing the party ticket for the governorship election is a strong party.
“There lots of political parties but for so many individuals to signify interest in contesting the primaries to secure the party ticket as it is happening now in the APC is a good omen. A sign of good tidings. However, I will advice that there should be unity of purpose in their ranks. United we will succeed in winning the governorship election. We are on one road to return to Osadebey Avenue (where Edo Government House is situated).”
He advised the party leaders to be honest and transparent in their dealings so that every party member will feel honoured and thus contribute their quota in ensuring that the APC wins the poll convincingly.
On zoning, Comrade Ehi said,”that’s left for the leaders of the party to handle. They’re better placed to take a decision that will be favourable across board. Benin, Esan and Afemai we are one and the same. Wherever the next governor of Edo State will be coming from does not matter. What is of paramount importance is that the person should be a ‘home boy’ who for the most part has always been with us.
“We don’t want an unknown person, a ‘foreigner’ in Osadebey Avenue. Who are not interested in a traveller who junkets around the world. We need someone who is on the ground with us here. Who understands our pains and is always prepared to get answers for whatever the problem is.
“APC guber ticket is not for these moneybags who just came into the party lately and jumped into the governorship race. Where were they when we formed the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) as a body to take the party back from Governor Obaseki’s grip since he came into office in 2016. What’s happening now is that people are more interested in the personality of a candidate than his political party affiliation.
“Finally, the person that will become governor of Edo State should accord the Oba of Benin, the respect he deserves. We don’t want another situation where the next governor will continue in Governor Obaseki’s stance in his relationship with the monarch. You can play on your mother’s bed but not on your father’s bed.”
Edo 2024: Why we need a ‘home boy’ – APC stalwart
