Edo 2016: Igbinedion proclaims himself godfather

Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has said given his status and rating in the PDP in Edo State, he would be the one to decide who gets the PDP ticket in the state, and consequently, who gets to take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

According to him, “Whoever is going to be the next governor of the state must be one of the founding members of the PDP in the state. And must also be a member of the ‘family’,” he said.

The former governor who many of his loyalists refer to as ‘the Iroko’, made the declaration last Sunday at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during his administration, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his wife in Benin City when the couple celebrated their birthday.

Igbinedion, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, promised that people of the state would be happy when the choice of the party is made known and there would be celebration all over the state.

Igbinedion further pointed out that till date, he remained the only governor whose victory at the polls was never challenged in any court of law, adding, that there was no iota of doubt that he is well loved by the people of the state, and that that till date, he remained the only governor whose victory was generally accepted.

Meanwhile, a former governor of old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, intends to set the ball rolling, with the launch of Edo Mass Movement (EMM) on July 4.

Ogbemudia stated that the state needs a governor that will not destroy the achievements made by the Oshiomhole administration, which he said has made tremendous strides in the area of infrastructural development in the state.

He said: “We in Edo State, want to ensure that the state is developed and because of that I am going to proclaim Edo Mass Movement, irrespective of party affiliations, and we will support any political party that gives us indication that it wants Edo State to succeed.”

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