Edo 2024: Reject Governorship Candidates With Godfathers ,—–APGA Candidate
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
As the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo state draws nearer, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, the standard bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has cautioned against politics of godfatherism.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after a stakeholders meeting of Concerned Edo South Leaders in Benin City, Osifo described the candidates of the rival All Progressives Congress(APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo and the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Barrister Asue Ighodalo, as surrogates of godfathers.
While expressing disappointment that Edo State may return back to the days and era of godfatherism, which had undermined the progress and development of the state, Osifo urged Edo people to resist candidates in the governorship race boasting with godfathers either as governor, former governor or president.
Osifo said the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State is mainly a battle between Edo people and against the political godfathers.
“If there is the support for the governorship of Edo State to come from Edo Central Senatorial District it is the responsibility of the political leaders and elders of Edo Central to choose their best because in any competition you go with your best because no senatorial district alone can make a governor.
“When you are picking a candidate from any senatorial district you must pick a candidate that will be accessible to the other two senatorial districts. Therefore, I want to tell you that the candidates from Edo Central Senatorial District are not candidates of Edo South leaders. They’re godfathers candidates.
“Edo Central that I know that produced Anthony Enahoro; that had Chief Tony Anenih as a great leader; that produced Professor Ambrose Alli as a governor; that produced Professor Oserheimen Osunbor as a governor will not choose a candidate that does not speak their language and does not understand their language.
“It is a cultural taboo; it’s total alienation and it’s disrespectful. Today, we are promoting Benin culture, Edo culture. We are told to teach our children how to speak our language. An adult of over 60 years old cannot speak his language. He does not understand his language.
“What does that indicate? He has no relationship with his people. He has been away whether in America, Britain or Lagos. Funny enough, he claims to be coming here(Edo State) on annual Alaghodaro Summit which they use in trying to deceive the people of Edo State.” Osifo said.
Osifo said the next government of Edo State will be rooted on knowledge and democracy and to be decided the by people of Edo State who will draw a distinction between candidates and political parties .
“At the commencement of the campaigns in April,the people of Edo State will draw a distinction between candidates and political parties that are rooted on colonialism and those that are in politics to serve and to return Edo State to true democracy and development.
“Neo colonialism is an aspiration to govern a people and communities that you don’t know and you don’t live with them.
“The supporters of neo colonialism know that it is a wrong agenda,but they do so for personal material gains ,or poverty.
“The next government of Edo State that will be rooted on knowledge and democracy, effective November 12,2024, will stamp out poverty and return the good people of Edo State to prosperity and dignity.”