An Edo socio-cultural group, Esan Club 30, has said it will stand shoulder to shoulder with the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for the continuity of his sterling performance and consolidation of good governance in the state.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Engr. Francis Oriakhi and three officials on behalf of other members of the group, the Port-Harcourt-based group described Governor Obaseki as a man of scalable intellect and a man of class with a dignified personality, adding, “It would be distasteful or out of mischief for anyone not to notice and acknowledge the even-handedness of the governor as well as the equitable distribution of infrastructural amenities in the state.”

The group said it followed with sadness and great trepidation, the unfortunate, unnecessary, unsavory, avoidable but lingering spat between the sitting and duly elected governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki and a former governor and suspended National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

They said the scenario is uncalled for, detestable, potentially destabilizing, very offensive and definitely not representative of the values of Edo people and are incompatible with the foremost status of our dear state.

Esan Club 30 further praised Governor Obaseki development strides and inclusive politics, noting, “For Esan people, he has undoubtedly addressed and redressed the developmental anomalies and the non-representation in government suffered by our people during the Oshiomhole administration. The portent of the disqualification of a sitting and a performing governor by the NWC of the APC is the sizzling and inordinate desire of an emerging godfather who thinks that his word should be law. A society that elevates men above the law creates entropy in its polity.

“For Esan people, and looking at the bigger picture, the question that readily comes to mind would be: Is someone, somewhere trying to emasculate Edo Central Senatorial Zone from the governance tripod of our state? It is trite, as this juncture to emphasize that Obaseki is a brand who has by providence created a mass movement for the liberation of Edo people, for good governance, transparency, equity and for accountability.”

The statement further read, “For emphasis, Obaseki is Edo-centric and Esan-loving. He has been adept at strategic governance by his deft moves. As a club, we cannot be accused of being partisan since both the governor and the National Chairman of the APC belong to the same political party.”

“It is pertinent to state here that the leadership struggle in our dear state is a struggle between good and evil, between vile political predators and the hapless people, between conscienceless men and men of conscience and integrity, and above all, between a duly elected and a performing governor and a disruptive emergent godfather.”