Prof. Oteze Commends Edo People, Political Parties For Allowing Esan To Produce Next Governor
By Ehichioya Steve Odion
As Edo prepares for governorship election, stakeholders have begun to preach peace among the people in the state in order to have a successful election devoid of crisis capable of tampering with the peaceful coexistence of Edo people.
One of such persons is a retired Professor of Geology, pioneer Chairman of Ikolo Esan Organization World-Wide and Chairman, Board of Trustee, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), Prof. Gabriel Oteze.
In a recent chat with journalists, Prof Oteze commended Edo people and the political parties for having successfully conducted their primary elections that produced the candidates of the two leading political parties.
He added that the development simply shows how united and willing to listen to one another in the process of taking critical decisions to move Edo forward
Prof. Oteze said Edo politics have been very interesting and that the ethnic-geographical coloration have been wonderfully good.
He recalled the era of Prof. Ambrose Alli and Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia rtd, of blessed memories whom he said gave the people of the then Bendel State all the good things they needed to enhance the quality of life of the people.
He also reminded Edo people how they have always stood to support one another, adding that the Esan people have always deemed it fit to support other Senatorial districts when they had the opportunity to produce governor in the state which according to him was a demonstration of maturity and selflessness.
He thanked Edo people for reciprocating the gesture by spearheading the nomination of two eminently qualified candidates of Esan extraction to fly the flags of the two major political parties in the election. He specially appreciated the two political parties for giving Esan people the opportunity to produce the next governor.
Prof. Oteze enjoined Edo people to work very hard in the emerging dispensation in order to sustain the pace setting credentials of seasoned administrators like Prof. Ambrose Alli and Brigadier Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, rtd.
“Edo should wake up to be on top so that we can go back to our greatness. This election should not be about ethnic issue”.
He called on the two gubernatorial candidates to resist the temptation of embarking on campaign of calumny but such that is issue based.
He added that the issue of Okpebholo and Agbazilo should be down played because Esan is one when viewed from the political prism of the general Edo politics. He enjoined people to vote their conscience without allowing themselves to be intimidated in the course of performing their civic responsibilities.
Continuing, Prof. Oteze appealed to the governorship candidates to take the issue of security as their first priority. He further said that when lives and property are secured, the people will have the opportunity to go about their daily businesses. He said Edo needs someone who can tackle insecurity head-on.
“They should be able to raise the standard of living of the people. Invest greatly in Education, Agriculture, Culture/tourism and road infrastructure. This will surely cater for the needs of the citizens. Ambrose Alli University should be given all the needed attention so that it goes back to its lost glory in terms of academic standards. The area of staff welfare should be looked into seriously so that they can always get their salaries and other emoluments as at when due”.
Prof. Oteze again thanked Edo people for their open mindedness. “We appreciate them. The voters should equally have such thinking. We Esan cannot do it alone. The people acted wisely. I believe things will work out as expected”.