Okpebholo: Oshiomhole not a dictator, doesn’t interfere in Edo governance

Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo, says Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo north, does not interfere in his administration, contrary to opposition claims.

Oshiomhole was the governor of Edo from 2008 to 2016.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, Okpebholo said the former governor is not a dictator, as some of his critics have claimed.

“Even the man that they say is a dictator is not dictating anything; I am seeing a different Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is giving me a free hand,” the governor said.

“Whenever I want to talk to him, he will say, ‘My son, I know how you feel; just do it your way.’. But I will say, ‘Sir, I won’t do it in my way, please advise me,’ and he advises me, and most of the advice comes out to be something positive. You cannot be an island; you have to carry everybody along.”

The governor also refuted claims that he was handpicked by political godfathers to serve as a puppet leader in the state.

He added that God used certain individuals as instruments to help him achieve his governorship goal.

“Can you even point out one godfather who was pushing me?” Okpebholo asked.

“God was using people to help me, to support me, to get to where I am today.

“Senate President is the leader from the south-south. Whatever he did is for the progress of the Edo people; he wants Edo to be repositioned.

“God was at work; Edo people spoke. We were hungry for a change. Even in the next 20 years, I will win.

“Do you know when I won my senate (seat), there was a sitting senator? That time everything was working against us, but yet we won.”

Oshiomhole played a key role in supporting Okpebholo’s campaign for governor, actively participating in campaign rallies and speaking to the media on his behalf.

After the elections, the governor appointed Cyril, Oshiomhole’s son, as the commissioner for health.

The appointment was seen as a reward for Oshiomhole’s support, but Okpebholo denied that the senator had any influence over his decision, stating that Cyril was chosen based on merit.