Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday said his declaration of state burial for the late Chief Tony Anenih, a top chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during his first term as an All Progressives Congress (APC) governor, was the sin he committed against Adams Oshiomhole which the former governor has refused to forgive him.
Obaseki stated this at the PDP campaign rally held at Opujie Primary School, Uromi, Esan North East local government area where Chief Anenih came from.
He said, “When Chief Anenih died, I was not in PDP, but I declared a state burial for him because of his contributions to our dear state and Nigeria. “This was one of the things that created issues between me and Oshiomole who never wanted it. He considered it an unforgivable sin which he could not overlook. But I have to do what is good. We are all one. Edo State is one.
“And that is why I am here today. For Edo to be one and united, I have to support an Esan man for governor. And not just Esan man but a capable, competent, intellectually sound with good track record in the person of Asue Ighodalo,” Obaseki stated.
“The candidate the APC brought was a Benin man and the APC never believed in an Esan governorship agenda or an Esan man becoming governor until it dawned on them, so they hurriedly packaged one through the back door,” he added.
He declared that the need to move Edo forward requires a candidate like Asue Ighodalo.
“The PDP candidate is more experienced and competent to take Edo to the next level and so I urge you all to come out en-masse and vote on the 21 and elect him as the next governor by voting for the PDP,” he said.
In his address, Ighodalo thanked the people, saying “Uromi is a great place with great people. It is the pride of Esanland.”
“We will complete all ongoing projects in Esan North East and across all Esanland. Be it water, roads, hospitals, schools or anything, we will complete them and create new ones.
“Edo will be self-sufficient under my administration and become a state which other states will come to. With us Edo will not suffer poverty
“Let us support the good work to continue. Obaseki has done well and we will build on the foundation,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the local government chairman, Dr Inedegbor Kelly, thanked the governor for promising Esan people the governorship and fulfilling it.
He said the governor not only fulfilled the promise he gave Esan a credible and competent candidates in the persons of Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie.