By Alltimepost.com
Former two-time Governor of the defunct Bendel State, now Edo State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia has pledged his continued support for Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying “I will continue to work with you until my grave.”
Dr. Ogbemudia made the pledge when Oshiomhole paid him a courtesy visit in his home, in Benin City, on Wednesday in recognition of the ex-labor leader’s performance of transforming the face of governance in Edo State and for the development projects across the state.
“I have withdrawn my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), so, I am at home as a non-political, non-partisan politician. But every human being is a political animal, and I cannot say I have left politics,” he said.
Ogbemudia recalled the root of the strong bond between him and the comrade governor, saying: “But as I have said, I have been with you from the day you started helping me when I was Minister of Labor.
“That day I called you, and you asked me, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ and I said, ‘I don’t want strike throughout my tenure’, and you said: ‘we were elected to cause you discomfort, and if I don’t do it again, it means I am failing in my duty.’ I said, ‘No, you won’t fail.’ And throughout my tenure there was no strike and we worked well together.
“So, as you have come here, I didn’t see any other way to thank you than to make sure I work with you, and I will continue to work with you until my grave.”
On the issue of job creation, Dr. Ogbemudia said the dwindling price of oil has placed the future of the state on agriculture, saying that it would be a great venture for jobless people to invest in the business fish ponds to produce fish that will yield at least half a million every six months.
“There is somebody I know who has about two hundred of those ponds. If Edo people handle it, it can produce enough fish for export for the country.”
In his remarks, Governor Adams Oshiomhole paid glowing tributes to the two-time former Governor for his exemplary leadership in the State and the inspiration he has provided for humanity.
“I have come to pay you an official visit. There is no Edo man of my age who does not have a kind place in his heart on account of the solid foundation that God used you to lay for our State,” he reminisced.
Oshiomhole said as current occupant of the office, knowing what is happening he was more appreciative of the solid foundation laid by the elder statesman.
He pointed out that what Ogbemudia did was out of his personal conviction, reflecting the purity of his heart and genuine commitment to uplifting the quality of life of the people.
“So, whatever you did, you did, not because you needed votes. You did because in your heart believed that your people deserved good governance and that government must lay solid foundation, build infrastructure, address all of the issues that you did, set up institutions, encourage people to go to farms, set up technical schools, and in fact, I can’t list them. Even you cannot remember all of the actions.”
“And to imagine that you did them as a military man, the people of my generation cannot but appreciate and salute your leadership and exemplary leadership.”
Oshiomhole saluted his decision to withdraw from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and remain a father of all of us, “even as you remain politically concerned about the future of our State, but without being so on a partisan platform; for us, it is yet another example.”
“I have come to congratulate you on your decision. I believe all of us will learn from you. You are still mentally alert, and available to reflect on issues around us, and to proffer advice and suggestions to the stewards of the State.”
Comrade Oshiomhole made reference to the current political situation in the state and sought divine intervention to enable the system to democratically produce another governor with a good heart, the belief, passion and competence to lead the state to a greater height.
