Oshiomhole to Igbinedion: Forgive me for my misdeeds as governor

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, has sought the forgiveness of Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, for his actions during his tenure as governor.

Oshiomhole made the appeal on Saturday while presenting his goodwill message at Igbinedion’s 90th birthday banquet in Benin.

Oshiomhole described Igbinedion as a “good father” who has united people from all works of life.

The former governor thanked Igbinedion for his support during his gubernatorial bid in 2008, noting that without him he may not have become the governor.

“You brought together people from all parts of the country; north, south, east, and west and across political and religious divides,” Oshiomhole said.

“I want to publicly acknowledge your support for me in 2007 and 2008, without which I might never have become the governor of Edo state.

“As a Catholic, I want to confess that I might have done some things I shouldn’t have done as governor.

“At 90, it is only right that I ask for your forgiveness for any of my actions that may have irritated you.”

Oshiomhole commended Igbinedion’s leadership strides in establishing Nigeria’s first private university and other ventures that had brought the country international recognition.

“I have always looked for one opportunity to say to the Esama of the universe that I am sorry for any of the things that I said knowingly or unknowingly or any of the things that I did that a son should never have done to a father,” Oshiomhole said.

“On your 90th birthday, I ask for your forgiveness, and I pray that you grant it.

“But with as many children as God has blessed you with, some are bound to irritate you.

“Having said that, I am believing that you have forgiven me and I feel now able to reunite and hug my own brother, Lucky Igbinedion.”

BACKGROUND

On November 12, 2015, Oshiomhole, who was the governor of the state at that time, said Lucky Igbenedion, one of his predecessors and Gabriel Igbinedion, his father “ought to be in prison”.

Oshiomhole, who accused Lucky of conniving with his father to loot the resources of the state, threatened to publish the list of assets that the Igbenedion family acquired illegally.

He alleged that Lucky, during his tenure as governor, gave his father over 200,000 hectares of land belonging to the government

Since then, there has been a rift between Oshiomhole and the Igbenedion family.