…Condemns Plot to Blackmail Former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole… CONTINUE READING 

Ahead of the Governorship election in Edo state this year, the South South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Blessing Agbomhere has warned against the introduction of tribal sentiments by aspirants from any of the contending political parties in the election.

In a letter copied to the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and President Bola Tinubu among others, Agbomhere who is also a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the marginalization of Edo North in the political dispensation of Edo state, adding that the party’s gubernatorial ticket should be handed over to an aspirant from that part of the state.

Agbomhere also condemned what he described as a plot to foment crisis in the state by some disgruntled Edo sons who he said have tried unsuccessfully to attract the endorsement of the former Governor of Edo state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

“We will not allow anybody or group of persons, under any guise or tribe, whether from Edo South, North or Central to blackmail our leader, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for the sake of supporting or not supporting a governorship aspiration.

“Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has paid his dues in Nigeria, and has made so much sacrifices for Edo people to a level that any attempt to tarnish his reputation by any person or group of persons under the pretence of fighting for a particular tribe will not be tolerated by the generality of Edo people.

“Before Adams Oshiomhole became Governor of Edo State, the State had Governors Samuel Ogbemudia, John Oyegun and Lucky Igbenedion, who made Pastor Andrew Ize-Iyamu a de facto Governor during his administration – all were Governors from Benin (Edo South).

“Despite these men weirding enormous power, Benin City and Edo State in general were refered to as ancient city and state by the rest of the world because of the level of stagnation, backwardness and retrogression that defined the State.

“Oshiomhole came as an institution after retiring as the nation’s icon of workers’ welfare and good governance in Nigeria. He challenged the governance system in Edo State. He fought to get the opportunity to rescue Edo State from the cabal that held the state hostage. The election was a fierce battle. The cabal that held Edo State hostage, rigged the election and stole his mandate. A new battle started. He defeated the establishment. He won. He was sworn in as the Executive Governor of the State in November 2008.

“Adams Oshiomhole and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rescued the state from ‘those’ who never wanted Edo State to develop; ‘those’ who made the world accuse Benin and Edo girls of being prostitutes and ‘those’ who chased Benin and Edo youths to various states in Europe, by going through the nightmares of the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea to escape the cabal-inflicted penury, in search of greener pasture.” the letter read in parts.

Agbomhere reiterated that he is the only gubernatorial aspirant in the race that has the capacity to continue the developmental strides left behind by the previous administration of Senator Adams Oshiomhole if given the opportunity to serve as governor.

Below is the complete text of Agbomhere’s letter:

ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE HAS DONE WELL FOR ALL EDO PEOPLE

We will not allow anybody or group of persons, under any guise or tribe, whether from Edo South, North or Central to blackmail our leader, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for the sake of supporting or not supporting a governorship aspiration.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has paid his dues in Nigeria, and has made so much sacrifices for Edo people to a level that any attempt to tarnish his reputation by any person or group of persons under the pretence of fighting for a particular tribe will not be tolerated by the generality of Edo people.

Before Adams Oshiomhole became Governor of Edo State, the State had Governors Samuel Ogbemudia, John Oyegun and Lucky Igbenedion, who made Pastor Andrew Ize-Iyamu a de facto Governor during his administration – all were Governors from Benin (Edo South).

Despite these men weirding enormous power, Benin City and Edo State in general were refered to as ancient city and state by the rest of the world because of the level of stagnation, backwardness and retrogression that defined the State.

Oshiomhole came as an institution after retiring as the nation’s icon of workers’ welfare and good governance in Nigeria. He challenged the governance system in Edo State. He fought to get the opportunity to rescue Edo State from the cabal that held the state hostage. The election was a fierce battle. The cabal that held Edo State hostage, rigged the election and stole his mandate. A new battle started. He defeated the establishment. He won. He was sworn in as The Executive Governor of the State in November 2008.

Adams Oshiomhole and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rescued the state from ‘those’ who never wanted Edo State to develop; ‘those’ who made the world accuse Benin and Edo girls of being prostitutes and ‘those’ who chased Benin and Edo youths to various states in Europe, by going through the nightmares of the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea to escape the cabal-inflicted penury, in search of greener pasture.

Oshiomhole started a developmental revolution that saw a total transformation of the Ancient City of Benin to a new Capital City. He did the Benin Storm Water Project that arrested the flooding that was destroying lives and property in the City. He built, constructed and dualized many roads in Benin City. He built the Benin Specialist Hospital. Red Roof Revolution was initiated to rebuild our schools, which until Oshiomhole took over housed pupils and students in dilapidated mud buildings without roof tops where they struggle to learn sitting on bare floors while competing with lizards and rodents that have developed the habit of living and learning in harmony with them. From Benin, Esan to Afenmai, the three Senatorial Districts that make up Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole rebuilt our educational system with modern facilities.

Oshiomhole’s footprints and developmental strides traverse the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State with signature projects.

In terms of human capital development, he built men and women. He empowered boys and girls, and turned them into leaders to a dimension that made many Edo people ask ‘IF EDO WAS THIS RICH’.

Oshiomhole ensured fair distribution of offices. Edo North produced the Governor, Edo South, Deputy Governor while Edo Central had the Federal Minister and Speakership of the State House of Assembly. The most juiciest jobs in Oshiomhole’s administration went to the Benins and Edo South.

Before Adams Oshiomhole became Governor of Edo State and during his time in office as Governor, Federal Ministerial Slots were shared between Edo Central and Edo South. Chief Tony Anenih, Elder Odion Ugbesia and Arc. Mike Onolememen were all Ministers of Edo Central origin representing Edo State at the Federal Executive Council from 1999 to 2015. Edo Central got Edo’s Ministerial slots for about 16 years. In between these years, one of my role models, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi from Edo South was Minister of State for Works.

In 2015, Dr. Osagie Ehanire from Edo South got the Ministerial slot of Edo State. In 2019, Dr. Osagie Ehanire was reappointed the Federal Minister of Health with a budget close to a Trillion Naira, while Clem Agba from Edo North was appointed Minister for State Budget and National Planning. In a total sum, from 1999 till date, Edo Central had produced Federal Ministers for 16 years, Edo South had produced Federal Ministers for 9 years while Edo North has been able to do so for less than 5 years.

Edo Central (Esan) had produced 2 Governors in the persons of Prof. Ambrose Alli and Prof. Oserhieme Osunbor, Edo South (Benin) has produced 4 Governors in the persons of Chief Samuel Ogbemudia, Chief John Oyegun, Chief Lucky Igbenedion and Mr. Godwin Obaseki while Edo North has only produced 1 Governor in the person of Adams Oshiomhole.

From the above records, who is being marginalized in Edo State? Are the Edo North People not being marginalized?

Edo South (Benin) have made it customary to have all the powerful and influential federal appointments that come to Edo State.
Apart from producing the current Governor of Edo State, and three former Governors with 2 Ministers, Edo South has had/still having some of the offices listed below;
1. Gauis Obaseki was Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
2. Chief Stephen Oronsaye was Head of the Nigerian Civil Service.
3. Hon. Mathew Uduorokeme was appointed Edo State Commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission.
4. Chief John Oyegun was National Chairman of All Progressives Congress.
5. Hon. Saturday Uwalikhue was Edo State Commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission.
6. Gen. Charles Arhiavhere just left as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission.
7. Mr Cyril Omorogbe just retired after serving Two Terms of 8 years as Resident Electoral Commissioner, a slot, belonging to Edo State.
8. Barr. Henry Idahagbon was appointed South-South Commissioner, Federal Civil Service.
9. Hon. Patrick Aisowieren is the current Edo State Commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission.
10. Mrs Mary Alile, is the current National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress.
11. Jim Obazee was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
12. Jim Obazee has again been appointed as the Federal Government Investigator by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
13. Chief Solomon Arase was Inspector General of Police.
14. Chief Solomon Arase is the current Chairman Police Service Commission..

Should we mention more? How are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Adams Oshiomhole marginalizing Edo State?

As brothers and sisters, we need not to have gone into the above analysis if not to, abort the planned blackmail of our leaders, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to refresh the memory of the petitioners if they have forgotten the history of our dear State and to set the records straight while disabusing the minds of gullible Nigerians.

Edo is one big family living in various communities which make up the three Senatorial Districts of the State. Adams Oshiomhole treasures the cord that binds us as Edo people and as a result has done everything within his powers to rebuild Edo State.

If Godwin Obaseki, from Edo South has continued with the vitality and vigor with which Adams Oshiomhole reshaped the State, Edo State would be more positioned to meet the governance needs of the people.

Notwithstanding the obvious fact that the petition was cooked to save the shame of massive defeat the All Progressives Congress suffered in Benin (Edo South) due to the protest votes of youths in Benin (Edo South) who expressed their anger against our party as a consequence of failure of Benin APC self acclaimed leaders whose only interest in politics is to build personal estates and fill personal pockets.

While admonishing our National Leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and State Leaders, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh (Edo North), Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu (Edo South) and Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe Rtd (Edo Central) to focus more on developing and raising young honest leaders, I advise Benin and Edo youths to wake up, support the APC and work towards rescuing, sweeping and rebuilding Edo of our dreams.

I assure all Edo people that If elected Governor, Edo State will witness the rekindling of the massive growth and development sparked by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration in a new dimension.

Signed;

Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, South South Organizing Secretary, All Progressives Congress,
Edo APC Governorship Aspirant.

Cc:
His Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His Excellency, Comrade Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, Our National Leader, Former Executive Governor of Edo State and Distinguished Senator, Edo North Senatorial District.

Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Edo North Leader and Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu, Former Deputy Governor of Edo State and Leader, Edo South.

Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe Rtd, Leader, Edo Central.