Crusaderhotnews
*_...he stands better positioned to sustain legacies, reforms_*
The Benin Fundamental Movement, a socio-political and cultural organization has vowed to rally the Benin nation behind Gov. Godwin Obaseki to produce a competent successor who can sustain his legacies and existing reforms, and by extension expand the frontiers of our dear State for advanced development 2024 onward.
BFM says it supports Obaseki on his insistence on equity and fairness ahead the all-important Edo 2024 guber poll; recall that Obaseki a few days ago, affirmed that his succession process must capture the spirit and letter of equity and fairness; this may not be unconnected with the power sharing deficit that has bedeviled Edo Central since the advent of the current democracy in 1999.
Edo Central is one senatorial district that have not had a fair slice in Edo's political organogram since 1999; the district could, possibly have enjoyed an 8-year tenure under Prof. Osunbor; however, Oshiomhole's victory in court dashed that possibility; ever since, Edo Central has become a victim of unfulfilled promises, protesting for power every four years.
Unwilling to toe that unpopular path of fake and unfulfilled promise(s) to Edo Central, Gov. Godwin Obaseki may have reiterated his readiness to take power to Central in 2024; in his words in one of his recent public engagements, Obaseki said, "it is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one".
In a swift reaction, the Benin Fundamental Movement, with membership strength spanning the entire Edo South, with associates across Central and North, commended Obaseki for his determination to right the power sharing deficit.
Abu Ekomoba, a member of BFM noted recently that the group is very pleased with Obaseki's statement on equity and fairness; Ekomoba revealed the organization's readiness to stand solid behind the Governor to ensure the application of fairness, equity and a sense of inclusion in his succession process.
"We commend His Excellency for his stance on fairness and equity in selecting who succeeds him; as a pan-Benin socio-cultural group, with records of consistent struggles, in conjunction with affiliate groups, against perceived marginalization of the Benin nation in the scheme of things at the national stage, we find Obaseki's statement on fairness and equity soothing, commendable and deserving of popular support; to this end, we will deploy our arsenal to ensure Obaseki's succession process captures the spirit and letter of equity, fairness and inclusivity".
Admonishing Esans and the rest of Edo Central, Ekomoba noted, "Edo Central must see the current arrangement as a dream come true; we are very much aware of their age-long struggles to produce a Governor; the district contributes extensively to the development of Edo's human and material resources, hence, deserves the number one spot in Edo; the district must unite and rally behind their own, Central must downplay on personal interest and place the overall interest of the district and the State over and above personal".
"And if Asue Ighodalo is God's anointed to bring back the glory and light in Central politics, and take the Esans back to Osadebey Avenue, then our brothers and sisters of Edo Central extraction, particularly the political class, women and youths, must chest out to rally the district and see this as a sacred, sacrosanct duty that must be done", Ekomoba said.
The Benin Fundamental Movement is determined to see an Edo Central man with competence, character, capacity succeeds Obaseki; noting that, its support for Edo Central should not be mistaken for approval of the governorship ticket to get into just any hand; as Edo has become too sophisticated and competitive a State to be used as a tool for political compensation.
"Now that Edo has radically become a model for competitive development, Obaseki's successor must readily present superior proposal on security, economy, human capacity-building, infrastructure, health, education, trades and investment, technology, he must be able to develop and implement realistic policy on the protection and preservation of Edo's territorial integrity, his policy on Edo unity must be clear, he must build ironclad relationship with the academic and traditional institutions and create an enabling environment for SMSEs to grow; he must possess that warchest to rally local and foreign investors, big corporations into Edo, driving Edo on the path of progress, unity and boundless opportunities".
"Upon critical consideration of the spectrum of aspirants in the race, particularly those of Edo Central extraction, we are convinced beyond doubts, that Asue Ighodalo, following his towering achievements in the private sector, his contributions to Obaseki's success stories via the instrumentalities of the annual ALAGHODARO investment summit, others, his commitment to socio-community growth, his fiscal prudence etc, stands tall and better positioned to succeed Obaseki, banking on his ability and readiness to sustain the enduring legacies of the Obaseki-led administration, its reforms, while galvanizing the State for advanced development".
Asue Ighodalo, born July 19, 1959 in Nigeria; a lawyer and founding partner of the Banwo & Ighodalo law firm, a corporate and commercial law firm that specializes in advising major corporations on corporate finance, capital market, energy and natural resources, banking and securitization, merger and acquisition and project financing.
Ighodalo possesses that strong character and charismatic make-up required to balance Edo's political and corporate communities.
"Edo must rise in defense of their own, Esan must rise in defense of their kinsman, and the PDP must continue to critically assess the quality of mind of aspirants in its pool, so that, come 2024, that aspirant with the relevant credentials to sustain legacies, uphold existing reforms and keep Edo on the path of glory like Obaseki has done, emerges Governor", the group concluded.
0 Comments