….. Meet to forge a common part
expressed their dissatisfaction with political appointments made so far by the administration of Bola Tinubu, which the zone said did not favour it.
The leaders who met at the GRA, Benin City residence of the former governor of Edo State, Chief Odigie-Oyegun said their goal is to forge a common front for the interest of the zone in Edo State and Nigeria in general.
The meeting has in attendance political leaders (across party lines), businessmen, intellectuals and those representing the traditional institutions. Those in attendance include the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, former governors( Chief Odigie-Oyegun and Chief Lucky Igbinedion)
Others are the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Labour Party governorship aspirant, Olumide Akpata;former Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire ,Prof Gregory Akenzua among others.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting,the former governor,Chief Odigie-Oyegun said the meeting was called to consider Edo South interest in the Nigerian environment, which involves political appointment among others.
“We are comparing notes ,we are looking at the level of appointments,we are looking at the Edo State unfolding political equation and at the end of the day we ask ourselves what is indeed for Edo South? Basically, at the end of the day, we can say that we are not happy with the appointments that has has been made so far . From the Resident Electoral Commissioner; the Population Commission and others. “
On politics in Edo State ,hesaid the Zone has the current governor,Mr Godwin Obaseki and that they are not complaining,but that the zone cannot afford to live in the past as the governor’s tenure will end next year.
“We have the governor,who will concluded his tenure next year,but nobody lives in the past. Nobody goes to bed and says the present in good and therefore he will not care about the day that will break tomorrow. We can’t be that stupid.We are looking at the immediate future and what we are seeing is not very interesting. So we are looking at how we can make amends to be sure that we are not left behind in the scheme of things.”
On which zone gets the nod for the Edo 2024 governorship,the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the state is noted with considering every block that makes-up the state.
“Edo is noted for considering every zone and that is why we are the heart beat of Nigeria. We will continue to show good example and we pray that other parts of the country will learn from it. But that does not mean that we will not be realistic and assert our positions and our expectations.
“Constitutionally the door is open for everybody to contest for the position of governor,not me nor the governor can foreclose what will happen or decide on the interest of others. The issue of zoning is the problem of political parties and not ours.” He said.
