Don’t change a working team, Obaseki tells Edo voters

The Edo State candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 28 governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday called on voters to consider leadership skills as a major criterion in choosing their next governor.

The Edo State candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 28 governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday called on voters to consider leadership skills as a major criterion in choosing their next governor.

Obaseki, who stated this during a visit to the Benin Technical College in Egor Local Government Area of the state, explained that in view of their desire for a greater Edo, it was important for the voters to assess the antecedents of all the candidates, including their achievements both in and out of government.

He said, “Leadership is very important; that is the key issue in this election. Who do we give power to? What is his background? What has he done before, especially if he has been in power?

“What are his achievements? We must ask these questions because a leopard does not change its spot. So, it is important (that) this election is not going to be about money but our future.”

Obaseki explained that the APC government, under  Adams Oshiomhole, had in the last eight years demonstrated that development was possible, through the provision of infrastructure.

The APC candidate said, “In the last eight years, the leadership of the state has started something that the people can see. Why do we want to change what is already working?

“I know there are personal complaints about the government. But, at least, we agree that government can build roads. By the grace of God, all the roads will be built.

“As the next governor, we know how to build roads and schools. We know how many we have done and those we have not done and we already have a plan over a period to ensure that the works continue,” he added.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Osaro Onaiwu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to shift the September 28 governorship poll to accommodate candidates sitting for the 2016 November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations in the state.

The electoral umpire had postponed the poll by two weeks, after it was advised to consider a shift due to a report of security threats by insurgents.

But Onaiwu, who spoke to journalists on Monday in Benin, explained that the new date would affect the candidates who were expected to take Physics Practical, Food and Nutrition 1 and 2 papers and two other papers on September 28.

Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki and Oshiomhole

BY ALEXANDER OKERE, BENIN