Oshiomhole, Airhavbere, others clash in Edo guber debate

…AsEdebiri, others endorse Oshiomhole’s 2nd term bid
BENIN CITY – IT was war of words, Wednesday, at the Edo State governorship debate organised in Benin City by Nigeria Elections Debate Group, NEDG, as the candidate of  Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere engaged themselves over the running of the state.

Meanwhile, some  of the candidates, commended the modest efforts of the state government in repositioning the state, but stressed the need for more to be done, which was why they were in the race, because they believed they had better plans to improve on what was on ground.

Candidate of  ACN, Governor Oshiomhole and his PDP counterpart, Gen. Aihriavbere, tackled themselves in the areas of security and employment as Airhaivbere and All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, candidate, Solomon Edebiri, argued that the industries in the state had been ran underground.

Oshiomhole was quick to note that the PDP government from 1999 till when he took over power in 2008, destroyed the industries and the agricultural sector in the state, adding that even the Edo Line, which they blamed his government for its collapse was ran down by PDP government.

On rural electrification, the candidate of National Conscience Party, NCP, Mr. Paul Orunwense, while acknowledging the state government’s effort in this area, said: “With all respect to Oshiomhole, there is still a lot to be done,”  while Mr. Roland Izebuwa of  Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, said, “despite what Oshiomhole has done, there were still communities that need to be given light.”

However, candidate of PDP, General Charles Airhiavbere blamed failures in the state on past leadership from 1999 to 2007.

On health, Prince Frank Ukonga of Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP,  said: “We are not here to run down anybody, Adams Oshiomhole has done well in the area of healthcare. He has already started well by giving free medical services to citizens of 60 years and above.”

Only the Labour Candidate, Mr Andrew Igwemoh was absent at the debate which will end on July 5.

Meanwhile, a group of veteran politicians in the state, Otu-Ede-Oseghe has thrown its weight behind the re-election bid of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The group led by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, declared their support while presenting 500 campaign vests to the governor at Government House, Benin, as part of their contribution to his re-election bid, they said they believed that Oshiomhole was eminently qualified to re-contest the position, following his “outstanding performance in the past three and half  years.”

Chief Edebiri said: “contrary to what the opposition parties and some unpatriotic individuals would want the world to believe, you have demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that you a visionary leader and pragmatic leader of the people. You have imparted positively on the lives of Edo people with the numerous people-oriented projects your administration had executed and still executing in all parts of the state.”

Debunking insinuations that the Bini of Edo South may support another candidate, the group said, “the current rumour set afloat by opposition party,  that the Binis were about to withdraw their support for you in favour of their candidate as a result of the intervention of a royal personage, I want to assure you that there is no truth in this wicked rumour. “I, therefore, urge you to ignore the rumour as the ranting of idle politicians, who, in their desperation, can do anything.”

The group said there was nothing new in the PDD in the state, noting that this was reflected in their candidate, adding “we want to use this opportunity to reassure you, Governor Oshiomhole, that the people of Edo South Senatorial District are strongly behind you and would not for any consideration give their votes to those who plundered their treasury for ten wasted years.”
In his response, Oshiomhole thanked the group for identifying with him and for supporting his re-election bid.