Edo rep joins guber race, says Obaseki has failed

Anamero Dekeri, the member representing Etsako federal constituency, has joined the Edo state governorship race.

Dekeri, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Godwin Obaseki, incumbent governor of Edo, has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

The federal lawmaker spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a press conference where he announced his governorship ambition.

“I stand before you with a sense of purpose and determination. My name is Honourable Anamero Dekeri, and I am honoured to declare my sincere interest in seeking the APC ticket for the Edo 2024 governorship election,” he said.

“Even the blind can see that the government of the state led by Godwin Obaseki is an abysmal failure.

“People are suffering, people are dying. Basic infrastructures have collapsed. The industries to employ our teeming population are no longer there, all sectors are in bad shape.”

Dekeri also faulted those demanding that the next governor of the state should be from Edo central senatorial district.

He said zoning breeds incompetence, adding that the competencies and skills should be considered.

“It is time Nigeria began to see beyond the leadership of turn by turn because, in my view, zoning breeds incompetence. And once an individual has a sense of entitlement, it could bring out the worst from that human,” he said.

“So we should be looking at a state where we choose leaders on the strength of their competence to lead. Let us dump the turn-by-turn politics.”

“Edo north, where I come from, has the second largest population in the state, with about 36% of the state population.

“We have only been privileged to produce a governor in the person of comrade Adams Oshiohomole

“On the issue of zoning, the APC as a party in Edo state is not the ruling party. You can only give what you have, we are looking at how we will wrest power from this Obaseki-led leadership that is bereft of ideas that the state is subject to. We should have the power first before talking about zoning.”

Dekeri added that his leadership style is dynamic, focusing on the needs of the people and ensuring that every policy  aligns with the principles of fairness, justice, and equity.

“My vision for Edo state is one of progress, prosperity, and pride. I aspire to create an environment where every child has access to quality education, the youth are equipped with skills for the future, and our industries flourish, generating employment and driving economic growth” the lawmaker said.

Dekeri added that he seeks to build a state that exemplifies good governance with the welfare of the people at the forefront of every decision.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 21 to conduct the election.