By Owen Eresoyen, Benin
As the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo state draws nearer, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, the standard bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has cautioned against the politics of god fatherism.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after a stakeholders meeting of Concerned Edo South Leaders in Benin City, Osifo described the candidates of the rival All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Asue Ighodalo, as surrogates of godfathers.
While expressing disappointment that Edo State may return back to the days and era of godfatherism, which had undermined the progress and development of the state, Osifo urged Edo people to resist candidates in the governorship race boasting with godfathers either as governor, former governor or president.
Osifo said the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State is mainly a battle between Edo people and against the political godfathers.
“If there is the support for the governorship of Edo State to come from Edo Central Senatorial District it is the responsibility of the political leaders and elders of Edo Central to choose their best because in any competition you go with your best because no senatorial district alone can make a governor.
“When you are picking a candidate from any senatorial district you must pick a candidate that will be accessible to the other two senatorial districts. Therefore, I want to tell you that the candidates from Edo Central Senatorial District are not candidates of Edo South leaders. They’re godfather candidates
He said, Edo Central that I know that produced Anthony Enahoro; that had Chief Tony Anenih as a great leader; that produced Professor Ambrose Alli as a governor; that produced Professor Oserheimen Osunbor as a governor will not choose a candidate that does not speak their language and does not understand their language.
