I Will Defeat Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki Boasts
The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, revealed on Friday that he contemplated quitting the battle for his re-election bid but support from his family, friends and colleague governors gave him the courage to fight on.
He also declared that he would be governor again for another four years by defeating on September 19, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Obaseki made these declarations in his acceptance speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin in the early hours of Friday, after emerging victorious in the indirect governorship primary election involving delegates from the 192 wards across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
The Edo State governor, who cast his vote at 9:06 pm on Thursday, rounded off his acceptance speech at 12:29 am yesterday, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) provided him a shelter with its large umbrella when he was drenched by heavy rain.
He said history was made with his emergence as the governorship candidate of PDP in Edo State, as his emergence would put an end to godfatherism in the state.
Obaseki expressed gratitude to the three other governorship aspirants in the party: Kenneth Imasuagbon, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Gideon Ikhine, who stepped down for him to be elected unopposed.
He said that contrary to insinuations that the governorship ticket cost him more than N10 billion, the three chieftains of PDP quit the race without demanding money or any form of compensation.
He said: “Today, history is being made in Nigeria. The victory we are celebrating today has been a long and strenuous walk to political freedom, which as from today, in my election as the standard bearer of our great party (PDP), by the grace of God, I will be governor again for another four years.
“Much has been entrusted to me by the representatives of our great party, and this responsibility will enable me to consolidate on the achievements that we have made.
“It will enable me to deepen good governance in Edo State. It will help us to restore the pride of Edo people and make Edo one of the best states in Nigeria.
“Today marks an electrifying moment in the political history of our state and indeed our country.
