From Tony Osauzo, Benin

POLITICAL Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Charles Idahosa, has given reasons while Oshiomhole prefers Godwin Obaseki among other aspirants to succeed him in office.

Speaking to journalists in Benin, Idahosa said governance had gone beyond going to Abuja in search of revenue, and now requires one who has what it takes to look inwards for the needed funds to develop the state, and not a professional politician who gives po­litical considerations before carrying out pro­grammes even when those consideration are not realistic.

“It is strange people are talking the way they are talking. They are old in this business of politics to know that there is no way a gov­ernor cannot have interest in who succeeds him. You know how the state was before Os­hiomhole came in. Even though I was part of that government, we all knew that Edo was dead and was only waiting to be buried before Oshiomhole came to the rescue.

“So whether you like his face or not, Os­hiomhole has performed. And he is able to achieve that because of his strong character and his passion for development. These are some of the outstanding qualities that the man to succeed him should possess and that is what the man has seen in Godwin Obaseki.

“So if Oshiomhole comes out today, after looking at all the aspirants and say, you are the one I support, I don’t see how people should raise eyebrows,” he said

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Commenting on the alleged plan to change the delegates’ list, Idahosa declared: “No one can change the delegates’ list,” pointing out that some of the delegates had either defected to other political parties or are dead and would need replacement.

“The delegates’ list is a storm in a tea cup. Funny enough, while some of the aspirants are busy quarrelling over the list of delegates, the Obaseki they are criticising is busy campaigning to all the del­egates one on one. No one can change the list of delegates, but we cannot allow some persons who have since defected to PDP to be delegates in an APC primarily election. The party will look into all these to effect changes where necessary.”

He explained that amongst all the aspirants jostling to take over from Oshiomhole, only Obaseki has assisted him on ideas and how to source for funds and that was why “I Idahosa believe in him”.

On perceived backlash should Obaseki be fielded as candidate of APC, Idahosa said people should not be deceived by what hap­pened in the last National Assembly election where PDP defeated APC to judge what will happen in the 2016 governorship election, adding that the Benins cannot be fooled because they will never forget what Oshiomhole has done to develop the place.