A former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said there is no doubt that Governor Adams Oshiomhole will win the July 14 gubernatorial election in the state based on his outstanding performance.
Speaking at the Peace and Security Advocacy summit in Benin City, Oyegun said: “What I will admit is that since the creation of Edo State we have not seen anything like this.
“We are lucky in Edo State. The challenge before you is not whether Adams Oshiomhole, who has brought a new life to Edo State will win or not. He will win. What we are going to face is not an election but a referendum, how much you appreciate what he has done. As an individual, I totally appreciate what he is doing.”
Oyegun, who said leadership must be by example, noted that you cannot preach to a man to love his country and you are not able to cater for him.
He added: “Peace can only be built on justice and equity, without justice there can be no peace and without peace no development. Our country is threatened, our society is threatened. Peace is threatened when there is no peace there is no security.”
Oshiomhole said at the summit that through job creation, the incidences of criminality will be greatly reduced in the society.
According to him: “When we empower our people with decent jobs and with the opportunities for sustainable livelihood, we invariably reduce the availability of our citizens, especially young people, for mischief. We also narrow the margins of social tensions.”
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, Oshiomhole said the state government has creatively developed policies to keep people of the state in employment and productive livelihood.
He said the government has ensured the equitable distribution of infrastructure among the three senatorial districts of the state, noting that in addition to this, the government has provided an enabling environment for all Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship as residents of the state.
He expressed gratitude to women in the state for their role in ensuring that peace reigns in the state, noting that “this summit is further evidence of the passion with which Edo women apply themselves as problem solvers.”