By Tony Campbell
Special Correspondent, Benin
Edo State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, promised to deliver good governance if elected governor when he met All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates during a tour of all councils.
But he faces opposition from Governor Adams Oshiomhole – who wants Godwin Obaseki to succeed him – and from Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a pastor, who says he is determined to occupy Government House and that Oshiomhole cannot stop him.
Ize-Iyamu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the secretary to the state government (SSG) during the administration of Lucky Igbinedion, and has some following.
Odubu reiterated, nonetheless, that having been elected twice into the House of Representatives and twice as deputy governor no one else possesses his experience and understanding of development matters in Edo.
He promised to encourage huge investment in agriculture through domestic and foreign instruments in order to create jobs and wealth.
He also promised that industrialisation, particularly through small and medium scale businesses, will be boosted so as to drive state economy.
Under his watch, he added, rural communities will get social infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals and drugs, pipe borne water, and electricity, in order to improve the rural economy and reduce rural-urban drift.
Odubu said given the development that has taken place in Edo under Oshiomhole, only his deputy who has participated in the conceptualisation, planning and execution of projects can hit the ground running upon assumption of office.
He urged the delegates to vote for him at the APC primary on June 18, assuring them that, if elected, the APC will get appointments and contracts through due process.
However, Ize-Iyamu, the other aspirant to the office, said those who hope that he will not contest in the election in November will be disappointed.
“I have a God who is insurmountable and my hands are clean,” he declared.
He was reacting to a statement issued by the state government on his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the disbursement of N700 million meant for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said he was aware of funds that came to the Edo PDP for Jonathan’s campaign but did not take a kobo from it.
Ize-Iyamu promised that “harassment from any quarter will not deter me from speaking on issues affecting Edo State.
“So also will the antics of a desperate state government not stop me in my resolve to champion the change of leadership by democratic means.
“No amount of blackmail, harassment or witch hunt can stop us from crying out over how our state has been mismanaged and plundered by a government we expected to do a lot better than previous ones.”
