By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY- The Edo Unity League, EUL, an umbrella body of all socio cultural and civil society groups in Edo State, has advised Governor Adams Oshiomhole to allow the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state produce his running mate for the 2012 governorship election  to avoid unnecessary tension.

In a statement, the group through its Publicity Secretary, Mallam Shehu Momodu, said:  “We have examined the potentials of re-electing Adams Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State  and came to the conclusion that unless the governor harkens to the voice of Edo-South members and leaders of his party, who have overwhelmingly said they don’t want  the current deputy governor as running mate in the 2012 election, the governor may be gambling with the Bini.”

According to them: “The ACN meeting, which recently endorsed the governor for a second term with an obvious rejection of the current deputy governor did not come to us as a surprise, because, Mr. Pius Odubu’s actions and inactions had provoked discontent among the people Edo-South .

“The rejection of Odubu as the running mate to Oshiomhole is an issue that has been laid to rest. No person, or stakeholder, no matter how highly placed can arm-twist our peoples’ resolve.

“We wish to make it clear that our continued support for Oshiomhole’s administration is not unconditional and if the governor displays disregard to democratic clarion-calls of this nature, we have a right as stakeholders to steer-clear of political solidarity with him, while chatting a new course for our people.

“We want somebody who will complement the efforts of the Governor because it is a known fact that each time the Governor travels out, the Edo State Government House becomes dead until he comes back. That is unacceptable to us and that is why we must get a capable hand, who  will run with the governor.”