Uyugue backs Ogbemudia on Oshiomhole’s 1-yr anniversary

By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Elder Sunny Uyugue, has backed the two-time Governor of old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, for attending the one year anniversary of Governor Adams Oshiom-hole.

According to him, Ogbemudia, as a former governor of the state, is right to have attended the first anniversary ceremony of the present government.

Besides, he recalled that Chief Tony Anenih had earlier refereed to Oshiom-hole as his son and as a matter of fact, nominated three commissioners and special advisers into the State Executive Council (SEC).

Uyigue wondered why loyalists of Chief Anenih would accuse Dr Ogbemudia of hobnobbing with the AC government in the state.

Uyugue, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City, alleged that the PDP lost Akoko-Edo House of Assembly re-run election due to what he described as the “father and son relationship” between Oshiomhole and Anenih, adding that Dr Ogbemudia’s participation in the one-year anniversary of Governor Oshiomhole was justified.

His words: “Yes, Ogbemudia attended the 1st anniversary of the governor and it was in his capacity as an elder statesman.

“The anniversary was not Oshiomhole’s personal celebration, it is a state matter and any true citizen of the state was free to attend if invited, irrespective of the political party you belong.

“Have you forgotten that there was a function in Auchi where Chief Anenih said Oshiomhole is his son and then Oshiomhole in his reply, said Anenih is his father.

“If a father and his son are quarrelling, it is only a jobless person that will interfere. Ogbemudia, being a statesman, an elderly man, a man who has ruled the state when it was part of Midwest, he must be seen promoting peace and respecting constituted authority.

“Before Akoko Edo election, we never knew that Chief Anenih had slots in the government; we did not know that he was in coalition with Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole gave Anenih three slots into the cabinet and Anenih single-handedly picked the people and gave to Oshiomhole.

“He never consulted the party leaders before taking that decision. Oshiomhole gave him slots for special adviser, he single-handedly put people there. So why would people blame Ogbemudia for attending the ceremony?

“When the honey moon was sweet and good between father and son, Dr Ogbemudia was subjected to humiliations. He was threatened with arrest within 48 hours if he refused to surrender the vehicles given to him by Osunbor. And we know those who masterminded that crisis between Ogbemudia and the governor.

“They are the same people today going to Abuja to tell the PDP national leaders that Ogbemudia is now hobnobbing with Oshiomhole.

“What is happening now is that Oshiomhole decided that Anenih should not make him enemy of every body. When Anenih was asked to nominate people for commissionership, did he tell Ogbemudia to bring any body? Ogbemudia was not even aware,” he stated.