Edo State Government has chided Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, an aspirant jostling to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki in the 2024 gubernatorial polls in the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC), for his comments in a TV programme that his local government area, Orhionmwon, is been marginalised.
The government’s reaction came through a statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare.
Reacting to Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s submission on a programme on Arise TV that his local government area, Orhionmwon, is been marginalised, Nehikhare said that Pastor Ize-Iyamu is been economical with the truth as the local government “has been unlucky over the years with the quality of leadership it has been saddled with.”
Going further, he asserted that over the years, the council has produced highly placed individuals as ministers, commissioners, political office holders, federal agencies representstives and the likes.
According to him, “curiously, all these people are members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Yet you, my brother, claims that the LGA has been marginalized, when all these people have held critical positions in Edo State before now.
“One would wonder if it is until they become governor before they are able to make a positive impact in the lives of their people and the local government, because, as it is often said, ‘he who is faithful with little is most likely faithful with much.”
On the scorecard of the incumbent governor of the state in the local government, Nehikhare averred: “Governor Godwin Obaseki has barely served for eight years and has brought so much development and impactful projects to the local council which is currently benefitting our people and improving the lives of thousands of residents in the LGA.”
In conclusion, he submitted: “It is clear that Obaseki’s legacies cannot be blemished. Edo people know the truth and will not be deceived.
“I urge you to go about your campaign with the understanding that the dynamics of politics have changed. Edo people are sophisticated and strategic in thoughts and action.”
