Edo SSG Cautions Politicians Over Zoning
By Joseph Ushigiale
Agitators for the seat of power in Edo State have been urged not to overheat the system with provocative statements over which zone would produce the next governor as the issue would be decided as a family affair.
Giving an insight into the likely outcome of the 2007 zoning formula for the governorship slot, the Secretary to Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said "it is going to be a family affair, there is no contention about it at all."
According to him, "past antecedents are there for discernible politicians. In 1979, it was the Bini that brought Prof. Ambrose Alli from outside the zone. In 1983, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia came and in 1991, it was a straight fight between Governor Lucky Igbinedion and Chief John Oyegun and Oyegun won. Again in 1999, there was agitation by the AFEMAI group for the governorship slot, but Governor Igbinedion clinched it and other positions were zoned across the zone accordingly.
On whether he is nursing a governorship ambition, Ize-Iyamu said " I have not said I am running and nobody has asked me to. So far, what we have heard are still within the realm of speculations. But one basic fact is that the governor may not be there in 2007, that is, the position would be vacant."
He stressed that "by implication, the whole political field would be level and open. It is a bit too early to begin to talk about who emerges to replace the governor and from which zone. What should be done is to support the governor to focus more on his developmental project through which he can leave a legacy and not to distract him with political maneuverings."
He said nobody has drafted him into the race as according to him, " I believe that what will be will be. If God ordains it, so shall it be. But I don't want to be pushed by men but by God. I want to stress that service should be pegged on performance. My pre-occupation for now is for the governor to leave a good legacy behind him."
On the influence of godfathers in Edo politics, Ize-Iyamu said "political leaders may be what people refer to as godfathers. These are group of people who have paid their dues in the party. In this state, we have the Oba, Igbinedion, Anenih, Ogbemudia, but the governor is today the leader of the party."
He stated that "although we have an array of godfathers, there is no one man who dictates or plays god as far as who occupies what position in the state is concerned. In this state, things must be done accordingly or nothing works."
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