By SIMON EBEGBULEM
GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said the task of any one who wants to govern the state must be to work for the unity of Edoand not play ethnic politics which, according to him, is being played by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oshiomhole, who declared this while addressing a campaign rally in Abudu, Orhiomnwon Local Government Council of the state and in Ikpoba Okhai, said one of the greatest achievements made by his administration was replacing the politics of sentiment which was played in the past in the state with politics of issues.
He spoke shortly after he received the endorsement of over twenty Enigies (district heads) in Orhiomnwon Local Government, where his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, hails from.
According to Oshiomhole, “it is legitimate to scrutinize the pedigree of any one who seeks to be your cook. Today the PDP is preaching ethnicity. I want to tell them that Edo is not a name after a river or after a tree, it represents an ethnic category. From Edo North, Edo Central, if you listen attentively, our dialect is the same.
“We have a common ancestry which is why in the statement issued by the palace, the Oba said we want a governor who will work for the unity of the state. Because every genuine Edo man and woman recognizes His Majesty as the father of all of us”.
Even before becoming the Governor of this state, my face was familiar in that palace. But today, we have a candidate of the PDP, Charles Airiavbere who is doing an advertorial in the newspaper and television describing me as a stranger”.
