By Damola Emmanuel
Basking in the euphoria of his swearing in for a second term in office, Thursday, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, made a sacred pledge to make Edo State work for all its citizens and return it to its glorious status as a model state.
Obaseki made the pledge during his inauguration address shortly after he and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, were sworn in by the State Chief Judge at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
An enthusiastic Obaseki ascribed his victory to God who, he said, made everything possible, and to the people of Edo State who he appreciated for voting massively and resolutely for him on September 19.
Obaseki won a significant re-election victory on Saturday, September 19, 2020, conducted in all the 18 local government areas of the state, handing a comprehensive defeat to his main opponent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; as well as 12 other candidates.
In his inauguration address, Obaseki said he and his team were committed to making Edo State work for every citizen, urging the people to now “stop dwelling on the past,” as it was now “time to take our collective destiny in our hands.”
He enthused: “There is nothing we cannot overcome in moving Edo State forward. What we need is the unity template.”
Stating that “we do not claim to have solution to all problems,” he said his administration had shown the world that there were “superior ways of running government,” and that little wonder his administration had won accolades on responsible governance. However, to make the state great again, the governor urged citizens to play their part by fulfilling their civic responsibilities to the state.
The people should own the government by paying tax, Obaseki said, wondering “Why should we have difficulty paying taxes?” “Government does not have its own money,” he continued. What it has is tax which is used on behalf of and for the good of the people.
He acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic had caused significant distortions in the economy but thanked God for keeping the citizens, and fatalities to the barest minimum.
He, however, urged the people not to be complacent and live under the erroneous impression that the virus had been defeated. The people, Obaseki emphasized, must continue to observe all the COVID-19 safety protocols as prescribed by the World Health Organisation, WHO, and allied organisations.
Still on the economy, Obaseki renewed his administration’s commitment to make Edo State compete globally through technology and digital economy. The administration will restore hope by building and bringing the economy to a sound footing and drive industrialization
He promised to work very hard to improve the environment and tackle the challenges of climate change.
He also promised to promote arts and culture and make it a springboard to develop tourism.
More significantly, the governor disclosed that his administration was in the process of developing a 20-year-development master plan for Edo State.
Obaseki ended his address by paying tribute to those, he said, who helped strengthen democracy in Edo State by voting and ensuring their votes counted.
In particular, he praised the effort of a 90-year-old woman who, he said, asked her son to carry her on his back to the polling boot so she could cast her ballot.
He also praised the physically challenged people who braved all odds to cast their votes.
Obaseki profusely praised President Muhammadu Buhari who, he said, showed leadership by ensuring that the cause of democracy was not trampled in Edo state.
He also thanked all religious and traditional rulers, especially the Oba of Benin, Oba Eheneden Erediauwa Ewuare II, for their rock-solid support.
Obaseki also gave his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, special thanks “for covering us with the umbrella when we were in political wilderness.”
Among eminent personalities present at the colourful ceremony were: President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeayi Okowa, represented by his deputy; Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike (represented by his deputy); Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto State Governor, Bayelsa Governor, Senator Diri Nonye, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Karen Banigo; as well as the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu who was also represented by his deputy.
