Edo 2024: Obaseki Speaks On Preferred Successor

Edo 2024: Obaseki Speaks On Preferred Successor

Less than a year before the governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki stated that he has no preferred successor, highlighting that the people will determine who succeeds him.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election for 21 September 2024 in the state. Several aspirants, including Obaseki’s deputy, Philip Shaibu, have declared their ambitions.

In a BBC pidgin interview, Obaseki emphasized that he has no favored successor and will only “advise and guide” the people as a leader. The governor recently had a falling-out with Shaibu over the deputy governor’s ambition, leading to a public dispute that has since been resolved.

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Asked about leaders having a say in their successors and whether he would support his deputy, Obaseki emphasized that under democracy, the people have the ultimate choice. Edo State has three senatorial districts – Edo North, South, and Central. With Obaseki from Edo South, there have been discussions about zoning and which senatorial district should produce the next governor in 2024.

Obaseki suggested that fairness and justice would guide his support, hinting at the possibility of zoning being a crucial factor, especially within the PDP, where both he and his deputy are members.

“E declare for himself now,” he said of his deputy’s declaration, adding “No be me go decide whether my deputy, na Edo people go sit down and decide. Them go say, this deputy, e get wetin e take to run the state?

“Let’s look at his background, antecedents if he has maybe and if he doesn’t have and in any case the Edo people would decide how we would do the governorship whether it would be turn by turn or it will be based on equity, fairness and justice. To say okay, this people has done before,” apparently suggesting zoning to Edo Central.

“As a leader, I will sit down and supervise. What is not fair, just and will help Edo unite, my hands are not there,” he stressed.

Speaking also spoke on on godfatherism in Nigerian politics.

“Everybody needs nurturing and mentoring but not to the extent of teleguiding you. He can support and help you to make your decisions but ultimately at the end of the day it is for democracy – the people must decide who will lead them,” he said.

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