PDP has best candidates for election, says Southsouth vice chair

TRACKING ____The National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, has said the party has the best candidates: Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu, for the September 19 governorship election.

Orbih, the chairman of Edo Campaign Council of PDP, who spoke on Tuesday in Benin at the inauguration of the campaign council and sub-committees of the state’s campaign, said Governor Obaseki and his deputy had given a good account of themselves.

He added that they deserved a second term to continue the great work.

Orbih said: “They (Obaseki and Shaibu) have elicited uncommon leadership qualities in charting a roadmap for the development of our state. I must say that I admire you more, now that I am privy to more facts about where you started.

“You inherited the highest debts ever in the history of our state. Through prudent management and financial discipline, you have reduced our indebtedness and embarked on infrastructural development, digitalised payment of pensions, clearing arrears and prompt and regular payments to pensioners.”

“Even some us who initially opposed you, when you first contested, have realised that you are a blessing to our state. Those who initially supported you, thinking your emergence would open the vault for looting and sharing of our state allocation, you have disappointed them by your refusal to continue with their culture of sharing the money at the expense of developing the state.”

He saluted Obaseki’s courage, especially for daring to investigate the alleged fraud in the award and execution of the Central Hospital, Benin’s contract, which he said had made the governor to be labelled as bad, with the critics now in warm embrace with those they earlier said could not be trusted.

Orbih said: “Those at the forefront in the campaign to take the state back must be stopped. Edo is not the property of Adams Oshiomhole. This is the moment of truth and not for self-proclaimed liars and political apologists. In 2016, Ize-Iyamu apologised for making Oshiomhole governor. In 2020 it’s the turn of Oshiomhole. Edo people are too politically sophisticated to be fooled.

“Edo people must be informed that government business is serious business. It is not a SIMPLE agenda (of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu). Edo people rejected the SIMPLE agenda in 2016 and will do so again in 2020.

“I advise that those trying to play God must know that there is only one God. The future of our state is in the hands of Edo people. I urge the good people of Edo State to support and vote for Governor Obaseki for sustainable development and growth of our beloved state.

“From today (yesterday), we are going to take our campaigns to the people. Let the people decide. Not in Oshiomhole, but in God we trust, and with the support of the people, Governor Obaseki will win again.”