By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A two time ex-governorship aspirant in Edo State, High Chief Jacob Egietseme Idinye has expressed his support for the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki for positively boosting the socio-economic development in the state, despite attacks from his detractors especially the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Monday Okpebholo.

Okpebholo in his recent statement had said his administration will right the many wrongs of the PDP administration should he win the Saturday, September 21, 2024 governorship election in the State.

Taking a swipe at Okpebholo over his tirade against Obaseki, Idinye took time to dismiss the allegations against the Governor as false and part of a well-sponsored plot by his enemies in Edo State to discredit and malign him. He described Okpebholo move as a show of shame.

According to him, Obaseki played a pivotal role in building trust between the three Senatorial Districts in the State, and has worked tirelessly in lifting the bar of governance across board to the admiration of both the elites and the masses.

He added that the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo is the man to beat in the coming guber poll. He noted also that a thorough bred technocrat as PDP candidate showed the party’s urgency in ensuring the next governor of Edo State is a round peg in a round hole.

High Chief Idinye made the remarks at Transcop Hilton hotel on Friday in Abuja during a chat with some senior political correspondents. The Etsako born politician and media personality said:

“I am really impressed with the success stories, and great milestones of my leader, Governor Obaseki of Edo State for adding value to humanity, especially the people of Edo State, posterity will surely be kind to him. Despite the challenging economic crisis fueled by the removal of fuel subsidy, Edo State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) positively rose by over 40 percent in 2023, recording N17bn increase from the N45bn generated in 2022. Okpebholo move to discredit our Governor is a complete show of shame to say the least.

“Without being frivolous, the Governor has phenomenally raised the bar for good governance socio-economically in Edo State and Nigeria by extention. Governor Obaseki is not owning workers the records are there. Okpebholo should get his facts right, a man who wants to be Governor isnt even aware of happenings in his environment. Mr. Governor always pay workers’ salaries every 26th of every calender month.

“Politicians should know that every information given out to the public must be fact checked so that the public would not be misled. APC flag bearer must always ensure he cross checks every information, before going to the press, his handlers also need to guide him accordingly more gaffes and mumbo-jumbo statements.

“Frankly, Okpebholo judging from his questionable antecedent is in no position to demand for accountability of N5 billion approved by the Federal Government as palliative to cushion the hardship on civil servants in Edo State. Everyone knows that Obaseki has strong penchant for integrity, high moral rectitude, accountability, probity and transparency and of course public funds are always safe in his care, these are facts that can never be controverted not even by Okpebholo or his paid masters.

“Politics is no more business any longer, any politician who wants to do business within the political system should be prepared to see the anti corrupt agencies. The verifiable records are there, Governor Obaseki even paid 13th month salary for workers in 2023. I have people working for the state especially teachers, they often commend the Governor for his benevolence and magnanimity towards workers. When Lagos was paying 35,000 as minimum wage, Edo State under the leadership of Obaseki was paying 40,000. Now Edo is paying 70,000, no state can match him. What about others what have they done differently to outmatch Obaseki? Abia said they can not pay and many other states in the country are also giving excuses.

“Okpebholo is only smart by half, he hould tell us about the value he has added on the people of his Senatorial District, he should tell us about his constituency projects how accessible is he to his constituents? He should tell us about the quality of his representation at the red chamber, the motions he is moving, the Bills he is sponsoring, his oversight functions and other statutory legislative assignments. He is even no match with our candidate, Asue Ighodalo let alone our amiable and quintessential Governor.

“As we speak, people are leaving APC in droves, which shows the party has completely lost it. Recently Barr Daniel .A. Osa-Ogbegie a very strong ally of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu resigned from the APC and several others are still leaving, dropping the party like hot potato.

”Those that are after Obaseki and are seeking his downfall are only labouring in vain. I have known him for many years. He is a profoundly good man, and he is known for excellence, even during his private practice before delving into politics, he recorded many enviable milestones, that is Obaseki for you.

“However I look forward to September 21, when by God’s grace, PDP as a party and our candidate Barrister Asue Ighodalo will win the guber election. Asue is a man who has explored all economy solution as a lawyer and financial expert, as a founder and partner of Banwo and Ighodalo law firm, providing first class legal advice and adding much values to our economy.”

He further said, ”Asue Ighodalo who obtained his first degree in law, Ibadan and also Economics in London is the best hand for the job, also as a corporate and project finance, capital market, energy, natural resources merger in banking and securities, etc; Edo people should be rest assured of the good pilot that can steer the state to greater height.”

Idinye equally urged the people of Edo State to vote en mass for Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the governor of the state in the September 21, 2024 election being the “best man for the job”.