Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki recently said that the choice to give a state funeral to the late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Chief Tony Anenih was a big reason why he and his predecessor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, had a fight. At a PDP rally on Friday at Opujie Primary School in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, Obaseki talked about the controversy surrounding this move and how it made things worse between him and Oshiomhole.
Obaseki said that he decided to have a state funeral for the famous politician Anenih even though he wasn’t a member of the PDP at the time of his death. During Obaseki’s first time as governor under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Anenih died. He was a major political figure in Edo State and Nigeria. The reason Obaseki chose to honour Anenih was because he knew how much the late leader had done for the state and the country.
In his speech, the governor said that Oshiomhole strongly objected to this act of honour and respect, seeing it as an insult. Obaseki said that Oshiomhole thought that giving Anenih a state funeral was a “unforgivable sin,” which made their friendship worse. One of the main things that led to the split between these two politicians was the fallout from their argument.
Obaseki stressed how important it is to always do what he thinks is right, no matter what the personal or political effects might be. He made it clear that his choice to honour Anenih was based on the late PDP leader’s important contributions to the state and the country, which showed that he put values ahead of politics. “I need to do the right thing.” We’re all the same. “Edo State is one,” Obaseki said at the gathering, reiterating his support for unity and acknowledging everyone’s role in the growth of the state.
The fight between Obaseki and Oshiomhole shows how complicated political relationships can be and how personal choices can change them. By giving a state funeral to a well-known PDP member, even though they were not from the same political party, Obaseki showed that he values the efforts of everyone, no matter what party they belong to.
The governor’s comments at the PDP gathering show how tense and complicated things are politically in Edo State. Honouring Anenih was meant to show respect and recognise his achievements, but it turned into a point of contention that made it hard for Obaseki to get along with his predecessor.
In short, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s admission of the fight he had with Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the state funeral for Chief Tony Anenih shows how complicated political relationships can be and how individual choices can affect government. Obaseki’s desire to recognise efforts from everyone, regardless of political views, shows how he leads and promotes unity in Edo State.