Obaseki's Victory Is Reward for Taking Governance to the Masses - Imasuagbon

By Simenon OSAJIE

Barr. Kenneth Imasuagbon former PDP governorship aspirant popularly call "The Rice Man" has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu for their resounding victory during the just concluded Edo State governorship election.

In an interview with newsmen in Benin, Barr. Imasuagbon described the re-election of Governor Obaseki as victory for democracy and expressed happiness over the outcome.

“I am happy about the outcome of this election. First and foremost, I must congratulate him for this victory, I feel elated. All through our campaign in the 192 wards that make up Edo state, l knew from the onset that it was going to be difficult to take power from Governor Godwin Obaseki going by the overwhelming support accorded the campaign team across Edo state 

"Obaseki is  a lover of peace, always focused in dealing on issues concerning the good people of Edo state. APC mistake gave PDP resounding victory. In the first place, PDP got to Osadebey Avenue without contesting for any election. 

“This PDP and Obaseki victory attests to the fact that when you are elected into an office you must work for the people instead of servicing godfathers and the people will always fight for you in times like this.

“The man Godwin Obaseki is connected to the people and that is what earned him the victory at the poll, it's an overwhelming victory, he is loved by the people and he has the Edolite at heart.

"I saw in Obaseki one who want to make  the school work, turned hospitals around  and put smile in the faces of pensioners and ready to leave Edo state better than were he met it. So, I also saw in Obaseki someone who had passion about the people and about the progress of Edo people. With all these, I said, we should assist him to finish his second  tenure," Imasuagbon said.

On the issue of whether there was an agreement that after Governor Obaseki's tenure, the governorship position moves to Edo Central, Barr. Imasuangbon said:  "It should be conventioneer, the Delta State experience, our sister state, it has been rotational from one senatorial districts  to the other. It guaranty peace, development and  take away suspension, it also  allow all inclusiveness, united Edo is better than divided Edo. My recommendation is that, Edo must have the Delta experience where power must be rotated. 

"An Esanman was last served as governor 41 years ago under late Prof. Ambrose Alli. For me as a lawyer, Osunbor was never a governor of Edo State. You can say he was a governor politically, but in law, he was never a governor. Whether I am the beneficiary or not does not matter to me, it is about Edo that will work, Edo that you and I will leave behind for our children's children unborn."

Was he sure of Governor Obaseki  calling on Ize-Iyamu and Oshiomhole to come on board to move Edo forward, Barr. Imasuangbon opined: "It is  genuine; nothing can be more genuine than that. I want to once again congratulate the Governor on his victory and trying to bring together everyone, that is the spirit of oneness, that is the spirit a good man who want to move Edo State forward. Edo people are the most intelligent people under the face of the world. I therefore call on every Edo man and woman, home and in the Diaspora to please in the name of God Almighty and the name of development of our state, lets support Governor Godwin Obaseki to succeed. Obaseki actually was the one that won the election not the party because the Edo people believed in him."

On his special message to the victorious Godwin Obaseki,  Barr. Imasuagbon said: “He should continue with the good works he is doing or even increase his efforts because to whom much is given much is expected, Edo people are with him, they demonstrated their love for him at the polls and they are expecting him to do more in ensuring Edo state continues to move forward."

While congratulating the governor, he prayed that his second tenure will bring better dividends of democracy to the people in all sectors of governance across the state.

Barr. Ken Imaduangbon thereafter call on the National Assembly to pass into law the act that will give room for individual candidature. 

"I want to use this medium to  call on the National Assembly for the sake of the country Nigeria  to quickly sign into law the electoral act that will allow for an individual candidature."

People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki defeated his closest rival of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu with 307.955 to 223,619 with a difference of  84,336 votes in the Edo State governorship election held last Saturday, 19th September, 2029  and adjudged to be free, fair and credible by both domestic and foreign observers.