Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state on Thursday explained why he must take a position on the choice of his successor.
Oshiomhole, however, stated that there would be free and fair primaries for party members to decide who succeeds him.
Speaking at an enlarged meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from the three senatorial districts, the governor noted that many aspirants were vying to run under the party based on the strength of his administration’s performance.
The governor said he would never be afraid to take a position and to explain his position on the basis of his conviction.
Oshiomhole said he owed the party the explanation on the qualities needed from his successor.
According to him, the state needs a governor that has the competence to see beyond going to Abuja for allocation.
“Should I as a governor have no such right to have a voice and a say on the choice of my successor? I cannot be neutral in matters affecting my environment.”
“Even people who are not from Edo state will always tell me to guide them so that Edo will not go back to the past. I will never be afraid to take a position and to explain my position on the basis of my conviction. In a democracy whether matured or growing, endorsement is legitimate. What I owe Edo people is very clear to me.
“I have heard several things about my person, some said he has anointed one of the candidates, some now call me god father. There is no question that the governorship candidate of this party will be produced through primaries. In the last elections, House of Assembly, National Assembly and presidential elections, we held primaries.
“So when people make those statements I just laugh. So this governor has no powers to impose any body on our party and certainly anybody on our state. I am proud to say that we have more than 60 political parties, why is it that everybody wants to run on APC platform? Why not Labour Party or PDP? It is on the strength of the performance of the government that I am privileged to head,” he said.
