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Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki said he considered quitting the governorship race to secure his reelection in his state.
Obaseki made this known on Friday while giving his acceptance speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, the state capital.
The Governor emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having polled 1,952 votes, representing 96.4 per cent of the total votes cast, as declared by the governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of PDP’s indirect governorship primary election committee, Senator Bala Mohammed.
Speaking about his PDP candidacy, Obaseki said history has been made as his emergence would put an end to godfatherism in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the three other governorship aspirants in the party who stepped down for him to be elected unopposed, namely: Kenneth Imasuagbon, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Gideon Ikhine.
He also denied reports of alleged bribery of the above aspirants stepping down for him, stating 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.
“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, said the Governor.
“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.
“With today’s election, we have demonstrated again that no mountain is too high to stop the aspiration of a people that have put their faith in God and that is called by God to make life better for the greater majority of the people.
“I must admit that there was a time in this struggle when as a mere mortal, I was almost tempted to quit. But I thank God for my family, friends and my colleague governors.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State and other colleagues, particularly Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and others who encouraged me to move on.
“My desire to improve the quality of life of Edo people has been my daily driving force and also my greatest incentive.
“I want to thank the leaders of our great party (PDP) who provided us shelter under the large umbrella in the sun when we were pushed out by the broom.
“We are actually grateful to those who emphatically told me, ‘Governor Godwin Obaseki, anywhere you go, we will follow.
“That was an encouragement. I was humbled by such love and I am challenged by it to confront any man-made barrier that will stand in our way to progress in Edo State.
“We could not have overcome our political adversaries without the prayers and guidance of our traditional rulers, religious leaders and all Edo people, particularly our father, the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
“With your continued support, we will make Edo State greater than we met it.”
Obaseki also promised to be magnanimous in victory. “We will not forget that when the rain was beating us, PDP provided us with the large umbrella,” he said.
He further hailed all Edo people, including those in diaspora, urging everyone to keep faith in him.
“Certainly, a better Edo State is possible if we are allowed to lead and not the godfathers to lead,” he said. “I implore you to keep faith and to inform you of the tasks ahead.”
The governor will now go against Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who is believed to have the backing of sacked national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.
