For months, the fight
between APC Chieftains in Edo state has been on headlines and Governor Obaseki
is finally speaking up over it.
The Edo State Governor while hosting members of the Benin
Community resident in the Federal Capital Territory at Edo State Lodge, Abuja,
on Friday, hinged the crisis rocking the state’s house of assembly on his
refusal to share public funds with private individuals who claimed they brought
him into power.
He further lamented that he has not been allowed to function as a
Governor since elected, as decisions are taken on his behalf without notifying
him.
He said “I have endured so much as a Governor. As a governor have
not been able to even nominate somebody for a federal appointment and meanwhile
federal appointment are made every day.
I cant be governor and not a governor, I should be able to make
decisions which are in my view and in the best interest of Edo State. If your
children are fighting and you cannot settle them, then what authority do you
have.”
He further alleged that the party’s National Chairman, Adams
Oshiomhole was not interested in the peace of the state. “The only thing they
have said is that I refused to share money; I am not taking care of the people
who brought me into office.
I said 300,000 Edo people voted for me to be governor; if I do for
the people, everybody will benefit.“Is it not ironic that in a state where we
have one party ruling, and that has all the 24 seats in the House of Assembly,
we have this kind of a crisis?
“At the centre, we have our own person who is supposed to
superintend (over) this (matter). So, if your children are fighting and you
cannot come and settle them, then what authority do you have to even be a
father?”“I will not allow Edo State to be a pawn in anybody’s political chess game.
For me, I keep asking the question, what have I done wrong? What
is my offence that they want to now get people to come and create confusion in
the state?”