By Aleogho Bright
The Edo State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and frontline National Vice Chairmanship hopeful,Mr. Jarrett Tenebe has stated that it was important for political actors in the State to join hands to demand for the National Vice Chairmanship (South-South)position.
Mr. Tenebe made this known yesterday while fielding questions from reporters at the Benin airport on his way to Abuja.
Asked why he is vying for the position of the National Vice Chairmanship ,Mr. Tenebe asserted that Edo appeared to be losing out in the political equation of Nigeria.
The Edo APC chieftain pointed out that Akwa Ibom has John Akpanudoedehe’ the National Secretary and Chief Godswill Akpabior,Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and former Governor of the State, who is a very deft and intelligent politician, while from
Cross Rivers, there is Professor Ben Ayade, a highly influential seating Governor and in Rivers there is Chief Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor and presently Minister of Transportation who is well regarded and influential in APC politics.
The State Deputy Chairman also asserted that Bayelsa State has the respected Chief Timipreye Silva, a former Governor and now the Minister of state for Petroleum . In Delta state there is Chief Omo-Agege, the Senate Deputy President, a deep insider of APC.
He Stated that in Edo the Party does not have a strong political figure and that the two ministers from the State are not deep rooted in politics but are well trained technocrats and rounded professionals. He said it is instructive enough to note that Edo not being in the scheme of things of the party is largely responsible for our loss to the PDP in the last gubernatorial election in the state.
He posited that Edo needed a strong character who can strongly stand for the State in the political equation of APC . This is particularly so since the exit of Comrade Adams Oshiomole as National Chairman of the party. He further clarified that it is not about himself but the positive and effective representation of Edo in the politics of APC.
On the possibility of Edo getting the South -South National Vice Chairman and the Zonal Secretary being contested for by another Chieftain of the Party, Chief Blessing Agbomhere, Mr. Tenebe said it is very possible as it was so at the time Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was the National Chairman of APC, as the state also had the Zonal Youth Leader of the Party . ” If the State is fortunate enough to get the two positions, it will be better as it will boost the chances of the APC in subsequent general elections in the state and by extension the entire region.
Asked on his take on the rumoured Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s Senatorial ambition,Mr. Tenebe said the former Governor like any other eligible Nigerian has the right to contest for the Seat because a man needs an identity to remain influential as it is with influence you can curry benefits for your people.He added that he was sure that is the reason people are asking Oshiomhole to contest the Senatorial election especially when viewed from the standpoint of the massive achievements he recorded as the state Governor.”However, it still speculative as the former Governor has not told anybody he is contesting.”