Read what Governor wants from his successor

yinka ogunlami

December 27, 2015 12:54 PM

Governor Oshiomhole spoke at the government house while receiving a delegation of Benin palace chiefs led by John Oviasogie, the Eribo of Benin who paid him a courtesy visit.

Adams Oshiomole

Serving his second term as Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has insisted that his successor must be a member of the All Progressive Cibgress (APC) and must be someone who believes in the State and has the full capacity to manage it well.

Read: 'Why I am interested in who becomes my successor' Governor Oshiomole says

Quoting the Governor, “From my inner insight of what this job entails, I believe we should look for people who believe in the state and have the capacity to run it. We have the right to educate the people about the person who we think will be safe. Be rest assured that I am as concerned as yourselves because we have seen the damage which the wrong driver can do to our collective vehicle. Everything is the same, the only difference is the person who heads the government.

“May God give us a governor that will put Edo people first, that will respect the traditional institution and that will work for the unity of our people across the 192 wards,” Oshiomhole said.

“… If someone does not believe in the state, and he has power, he will help himself,” Oshiomhole said, once again stressing the importance of the ideal candidate putting Edo state residents first. He added that the second most important trait of a prospective Edo state leader is to have the capacity to manage finances prudently because you may wish to do your best, but you cannot give what you don’t have.

“If you don’t have the brain, if you don’t have the knowledge and you don’t have the capacity, you will not be able to do it. So, we need people who can apply resources creatively.

“We haven’t solved all the problems, but we have made a lot of progress, and I am sure if the next governor will continue from where we will stop, for eight years of uninterrupted progress, I am sure that the Benin Kingdom will be wearing a complete new look."

Also, speaking on the issue of remuneration of Civil Servants, the Governor remarked that “Across Nigeria today, I believe that Edo State might be one of the two or three states that are able to pay salaries of December to workers before Christmas.

The labour leadership came see me yesterday to thank me for ensuring the civil servants in Edo State got their salaries. So in a country where most states cannot pay, and we are not as rich as any of our neighbours. Our people have got their salaries, but our neighbours can’t, so, it shows that it is that capacity to manage.”

The traditional chiefs also applauded the Governor, praising him for a job well done and developmental projects he has introduced to Edo State.

yinka ogunlami