Prince Kassim Afegbua has declared his interest in contesting the forthcoming Edo 2024 governorship election under the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
In Nigeria News today Speaking during an interaction with the correspondent chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, at its secretariat in Benin City, Afegbua said he would not run the government of the Memorandum of Understanding if elected.
He also said infrastructural decay and leadership deficiency, amongst others currently witnessed in the state, made him join the governorship race.
He said the needless fight and altercations among the leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state, coupled with the politics of “pretence and highhandedness," are responsible for the near collapse of the state.
“I joined the governorship race on the platform of the APC in order to seamlessly reposition the state and fully explore the opportunities beckoning to us.”
“We cannot afford to be in opposition when we have a federal government that is poised to renew our hope and take us to a place of prosperity, economic strength, stability, and pride.
“The era of lamentation will be gone if I am elected. Edo must rise from the ashes of this present misgovernance, lack of infrastructure, and bad leadership, among others, to become a state that will occupy its rightful place in the assembly of states in Nigeria. Edo State deserves more than just a passing interest.
“Edo is seriously begging for attention with the level of infrastructural decay and leadership deficiency. My focus would be on infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture, among others.”
He said he would continue the red roof revolution policy in school started by former Governor Adams Oshiomohle if elected.
Afegbua said the policy, which helped in covering infrastructural decay and rots in our school, was abandoned by the current government.
On zoning the governorship ticket to Edo central, Afegbua said there has never been zoning arrangement of governorship position in Edo State and that anybody championing zoning is missing the point.
“In 2007, when Oshiomhole came to contest the position, as at that time Edo central had three ministers yet Osunbor who is also from central was elected governor. Now, from that time till now, every primary conducted by political parties featured aspirants from the three senatorial zones. So, this time, nothing of zoning should stop any worthy son of Edo to aspire to govern Edo.
“We are in era of propaganda; MOU does not translate to development. Last seven years is for the wrong reason, governor fighting deputy, party leaders among other and such can bring development,” he said.