Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday claimed that one of the reasons that caused his rift with his predecessor in office, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole now a senator was his declaration of state burial for the late chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih who died during his first term as governor of the state under theAll Progressives Congress (APC).

Obaseki stated this at the ongoing PDP campaign rally held at Opujie Primary School, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area where Chief Anenih came from.

He called on the people to vote for the candidate of the PDP telling the people they were the first to insist that the next governor of Edo State must come from Edo Central and the APC was angling for a Benin candidate but brought their Esan candidate through the back door.

According to Obaseki, “When Chief Anenih died, I was not in PDP, but I declared a state burial for him because of his contributions to our dear state and Nigeria. This was one of the things that created issues between me and Oshiomole who never wanted it. He considered it an unforgivable sin which he could not overlook. But I have to do what is good. We are all one. Edo State is one.

“And that is why I am here today. For Edo to be one and united, I have to support Esan man for governor. And not just an Esan man but a capable, competent, intellectually sound person with good track record in the person of Asue Ighodalo,” Obaseki stated.

He declared that the need to move Edo forward requires a candidate like Asue Ighodalo.

In his address, the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo promised to complete all ongoing projects in Esanland. He said “I will complete all on and create more. We will complete all ongoing projects in Esan North East and across all Esanland. Be it water, roads, hospitals, schools or anything, we will complete them and create new ones.

“Edo will be self-sufficient under my administration and become a state other states will come to. With us Edo will not suffer poverty

“Let us support the good work to continue. Obaseki has done well and we will build on the foundation,” he declared.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the local government chairman, Dr Inedegbor Kelly, thanked the governor for promising Esan people the governorship and fulfilling it with credible and competent candidates in the person of Asue Ighodalo and his running mate Osarodion Ogie.

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A former council chairman, Hon. John Yakubu, also affirmed the submission of the local government boss while reechoeing that PDP will produce more than 75% vote in Uromi.

Senator Clifford Ordia, the DG of the Asue Ogie Campaign Council, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, the state party chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, all urged the people to come out en masse and vote the PDP with the umbrella as symbol

Prince Joe Okojie, while eulogizing the governor in sweet Esan melodious songs, told the people that Obaseki promised him at the beginning of his first tenure that he will hand over Edo to Esan son as governor. And that seven years plus, Obaseki has done it.

He said the APC people know that they have lost the election hence they are doing everything to see they intimidate the PDP people using police, which they also have to fail.