By Chesa Chesa
Poor governance so far by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will help the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) clinch victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State, says APC governorship aspirant Prince Clem Agba.
The former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning expressed his strong confidence on Wednesday to journalists in Abuja shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC national headquarters.
He was accompanied by his wife, Catherine, and several supporters who turned the party premises to a carnival ground during the visit.
Agba stressed that the PDP has so badly run the affairs of Edo State that the people are now willing to pitch their tent with the APC and among the contenders he is the best to offer them the good governance they desire.
“PDP has already campaigned for APC. Not just by the crisis in the party but its poor performance. People of Edo State will not waste their votes on PDP come September”, he declared.
Reeling out his achievements as former Commissioner in Edo under Governor Adams Oshiomhole and as Minister under President Muhammadu Buhari, the aspirant from Edo North senatorial zone stressed that he remains the best among all those hosting for the governorship across all political parties.
Agba dismissed the insinuation in some quarters that he had been anointed as political godson of his former boss, Oshiomhole.
“If I were the anointed, do I need to go about campaigning? I will sit at home and wait for the coronation. But I know I have to sell myself to the people. And because our people could be forgetful, I have to remind them the things that I did.
“I know I am the best among them; and in all the parties. I am not talking about APC now because I see all the contenders across the parties.
“Why do you think I am the only one under attack? Why am I the only one that is the godson? It is because no one throws stone at a tree that has unripe fruits.
“Am I going to deny that Adams Oshiomhole is a friend? No, I will not deny him. Am I going to deny that he is my brother because we come from the same part of the state? No, I will not deny him. Will I deny that he is my boss? No, I will not. Am I his only son? No, I am not. He has sons from Edo North, South and Central. I won’t deny him.”
Reminded that many have questioned the fairness in having the two Senatorial Districts of Edo North and South to rotate governorship between them, Agba replied: “When you are going to equity, it is always good to go with very clean hands. Edo South has produced four governors. Edo Central has produced two governors. Edo North has only produced one governor in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. So, who is marginalised?
“Let me take it a little further. Because it doesn’t just start and stop with governors. The issue of ministerial appointments. Edo South has produced three ministers. Edo Central has produced five ministers. I was the first minister from the Edo North. And I was the Minister of State. So, who is marginalised?
“What is important now is that we are in opposition, and we need to rescue power. And if you have to rescue power, you have to put your best foot forward. Someone who has the experience and who is competent.”
