Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says he has no apology to tender to those who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a rival party, saying he will never share the state’s resources, meant for developing the state, to them.
Speaking at the presentation of staff of office to Alhaji Jackson Etokhana, as the Oghieavhianwu of Avhianwu, the Governor urged the new royal father to educate his people to distinguish and support only politicians who stand for the interest of the larger family, rather than personal interest or the interest of their immediate family.
He said: “We must use every opportunity to educate our people. This afternoon, your Royal Highnesses, I am not asking you to go and carry party cards, I only ask you and your Chiefs to educate our people to distinguish politicians who will stand only when it is good for their family, not when it is good for the larger community.
“I want it to be said that when I left office, our people started distinguishing thieves from real politicians. Our people must learn to begin to interrogate all manners of political miscreants who come wanting to cash in on the poverty of our people. I always say that to be poor is not to be crazy, so we must be clear,” he said.
“So those who decamp because I do not put money in their pockets, let them continue to decamp; no apology and everybody will be remembered when they write the history of politics in Afemai land. Those who called for Afemai Agenda believing that when an Afemai man becomes the governor, he will carry state money and share to them; and once they do not get it, they abandon Afemai Agenda and now they have turned only to the agenda of their stomach infrastructure.”
He urged monrachs to guide the young ones stressing, “you will always be governed by politicians whether you like it or not, but you must carefully select your politicians on the basis of those who understand that state power is not for the private comfort of those around the state operators.”
He assured Royal Fathers in the state that government under his watch will never interfere with traditional matters, maintaining that he will not sponsor anybody to write a petition against any Royal Father and that if anybody encourages anyone to do fictitious petitions, it will be dismissed.
According to him, “this government believes that the foundation for peace and stability requires that we respect not only the traditional institution, but we respect traditional rulers who sit on the various thrones”.
Governor Oshiomhole assured the newly installed Royal Father, Alhaji Jackson Etokhana as well as the entire people of Avhianwu Clan of government’s continuous support in the provision of infrastructural facilities to the community.
In a welcome address, HRH, Alhaji Jackson Etokhana appreciated the Governor for finding time to personally honour the people of Avhianwu with his esteemed presence.
He said, “I see my installation as a call to compliment the laudable efforts of our governor at bringing peace and development to the people of Avhianwu and Edo State in General.
He said, “As paramount head of Avhianwu town, it is my duty to act as a pathfinder, a rally point and coordinator general of all our individual efforts aimed at bringing peace and development to the land.”
While appealing to all sons and daughters of Avhianwu Clan to cooperate and offer useful advice towards fast tracking reconciliation in the community, he thanked the Comrade Governor for the provision of boreholes, building and renovation of dilapidated schools at Iraokhor and Ogbona Sub-clans.
Dignitaries from within and outside the State including members of the State Executive Council, the State Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Bar. Anselm Ojezua and the Chairman Etsako Central Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh graced the occasion.
