Now, let me address the right thinking people of Akoko-Edo as we approach the September 21st governorship election – the time appointed to pay Governor Godwin Obaseki back in his own coin, particularly for how he has treated the Akoko-Edo people since he came into office.
John Mayaki, a former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki, has urged the people of Akoko-Edo to support the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in appreciation of the governor's appointments from the area.
Mayaki, in an article titled, ‘Let’s Pay Obaseki Back in His Own Coin,’ on Sunday, said the governor had appointed his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, and himself from Akoko-Edo on the day he was sworn in during his first tenure.
He said, “Specifically, Obaseki appointed both his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele and Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki from Akoko-Edo on the same day he was sworn in during his first tenure, which caused significant discontent in some quarters. They did everything to frustrate us out of government, but that’s not the discussion for today.
“It was under this same Obaseki administration that another son of Akoko-Edo, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, emerged as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. The helms-person of the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Executive Chairman of the Board, is Mrs. Ozavize Salami, and I am aware that some persons are unhappy with this appointment.
“Today, Obaseki has also decided to pick our son, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, as his Deputy Governor. All these appointments are the first of their kind in the history of our local government. Besides, there are several other appointments I would prefer not to mention here to avoid unnecessary scrutiny from those with ill intentions.”
The former CPS, who said he had personally criticised the governor for over seven and a half years regarding his governance style and policies, added, “My goal was to promote good governance, not because I resigned from his government. I must appreciate him – he engaged me as his Chief Press Secretary, but my supposed leaders fought against the appointment because they had a preferred candidate, whom the Governor rejected.”
Mayaki stated, “Someone might ask, is it only about appointing Akoko-Edo sons and daughters to government positions? Yes. Apart from the fact that Akoko-Edo has had its fair share of development under this administration, you need people at the table to attract the dividends of democracy to our local government area.
“I stumbled upon a video where Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto led Edo North leaders to pay a thank-you visit to Governor Obaseki for the developmental projects in our senatorial district. He listed the projects until he was tired. The video exists, but now, because he didn’t emerge as the Deputy Governor, he has decided to seek his political future elsewhere. Of course, politics is all about free entry and exit. I wish him well.
“Let’s not pretend. When a man does well, we must acknowledge it, and when he goes wrong, I will not pretend otherwise. Oh, Mayaki has eaten the forbidden fruit – the man who has been a thorn in Obaseki’s political flesh has capitulated. Yes. But also permit me to express the other side of Obaseki and not pretend.”
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