These notable achievements include: restoration of sanity in traffic management and control in the urban areas, decency and decorum in government house, humane approach to tax drive and sincere effort towards developing the oil producing communities, among others.
Even the worst critics of Governor Obaseki’s administration will acknowledge the replacement of the barbaric, crude and primitive traffic control thugs who became notorious for their extortion with civilized, trained uniformed traffic wardens in the state capital and other towns as a great achievement.
The tensed atmosphere hitherto created by the lawless activities of thugs and hoodlums at Government House and most government functions has, reasonably, enhanced the dignity of politicians in the state.
His decision to reconstruct the dilapidated Federal Government controlled Benin-Abraka Road and the Ugo-Jesse Road, both of which lead to the foremost oil and gas producing communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area is the first bold step by the State Government at developing the area.
Previous administrations fed fat on the revenue from the area but neglected them to the extent that the Governors never visited them except during electioneering campaign.
Political elite in Edo State have in turn exploited and oppressed the oil and gas producing communities so much that even appointments and projects due them were diverted to other areas as a strategy for sustaining the cheating of the people.
Recent reduction in annual rate per store for traders in the state capital is equally commendable as a humane approach to tax drive.
For all these and many more achievements, Governor Obaseki deserves prayers and support.
However, the Governor needs the Grace of God to free himself from the negative influence of self-serving politicians who are determined to pollute his good conscience with hatred and falsehood against those they dread as more formidable and conscientious political forces than them
He should not mar his good record as a performing governor with the ugly image of one who revels in promoting intra-party acrimonies, malicious propaganda and injustice. He should beware of the corrosive influence of those who sang hosanna for every past Governor since 1999. Rulers can’t know their true friends until they have left office.
He should counsel those around him that, in politics as in other games, it is not expected of the winner to keep malice.
Nevertheless, that Governor Obaseki has continued to improve on the good work of his predecessor is evident of progressive governance, a credit to APC!
Comrade Godwin Erhahon
Patron: Buhari Friends Organisation Network (BUFON)
Buhari Youth Organization (BYO)
Izon-Ibe Global Policy Network
