By Eben Enasco Kingsley (Benin City)
The former governor of the defunct Bendel state, Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia (RTD) has rooted for a Bini candidate come 2016, gubernatorial election in Edo state.
This was the focal point of the meeting of PAN EDO Association courtesy visit to his resident in the state capital.
Governor Ogbemudia speaking during the visit, stated his desire to throw his weight behind any viable candidacy representing the Edo south senatorial district, for the July, 2016 gubernatorial elections through Edo Mass Movement, (EMM), to be launched on, JULY 4, 2015, geared towards selecting a reliable representative across the senatorial districts.
According to him,” Well the situation is this, after we have launched or proclaim EMM (Edo Mass Movement) on the July 4, 2015, a committee will be set up that will go round what you call selection committee and from that committee, another committee (smaller) will emerge. This committee will be called search committee. So, all these people will work together to produce few names of individuals for the larger body to work at. The Committee is made up of people from all the three senatorial district speaking for me as a Benin man; I want a Benin man as governor but not a must. I want a Bini man. But the 3 senatorial district will form a committee that will make their recommendation”.
The two terms governor however, debunked the allegations on publication in Vanguard banner headlines of June 24, 2015 over conflicting issues the group interest could generate on who has the mandate to hand pick a particular candidate
“I think they misquoted me. First, I can not say I will install. I have not seen Chief Lucky Igbinedion for over a year now. So we cannot stand such conflict. If he has such ambition, he will tell all of us because they will need my vote. I am not speaking on behalf of PDP or any other political group rather; I am speaking on behalf of EMM.It is the people of Edo State who will decide who to be the next governor of the state, and only God knows that person. My only bid is to support the decision of EMM.I want to say that this morning that, I saw in the Vanguard banner headline that, Ogbemudia and Igbinedion are at each others neck over who will be the next governor; Far from it. Igbinedion Lucky is a leader I respect and if he has somebody that meet up standard, we will support him. I think everything I am saying has to be supported and approved by Edo Mass Movement. It is not just all about me getting up with a brain wave that oh yes am going to do this, it is the spirit of EMM that I will operate with. I think everything I am saying has to be supported and approved by Edo Mass Movement. It is not just all about me getting up with a brain wave that oh yes am going to do this, it is the spirit of EMM that I will operate with.
Meanwhile, the ex governor was quick to refute the speculations by a notable Chief that the Bini palace has consensually agreed to support an undisclosed candidate within Edo Senatorial districts.
“The palace has not spoken to me on that. They have not directed me to any areas. What you are saying now is news. I will investigate if it is true. And if this is done and the candidate is viable I will support whomsoever,’’ he remarked.
