THE reported governorship ambition of former president of the Trade union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele is reportedly ruffling some feathers in Edo state government as some politicians who have been nursing governorship ambitions have since last week started re-strategising in the event that Governor Adams Oshiomhole eventually decide to lend his support to his fellow former labour leader.
Although Esele denied the rumour, many believe there could be elements of truth in Oshiomhole's desire to hand-over to somebody who would sustain the developmental strides and institutional style of administration he is trying to establish for the state. The style, it is said, would make it almost impossible for "selfish politicians without character" to run the state the way they like.
But a state official of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) told The Guardian yesterday that, "it is still too early to discuss 2016 when the governor has not even spent eight months in his second term."
However, a Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Erasmus Ikhide, said: "Any serious politician would be ruffled once they know that a more credible person is interested in the same position they are angling to get. Although, I cannot confirm whether he is interested or not, but definitely, a man of his calibre will ruffle feathers."
The governor's keeping mum on the matter so far has also given the story more credence but the Peoples Democratic Party said the issues does not have anything to with it as a party.
It is strongly being rumoured that the PDP may present current Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, as its gubernatorial candidate in the 2016 election in the state and Esele is from the same Edo central Senatorial District with the minister.
The Guardian
There are so many panics in several states in Nigeria right about now. Things just keep happening and it's very disturbing.