No Reconciliation Anytime Soon With Igbinedion, Says Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole-EsamaGovernor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday gave indication that the publicized rift between him and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion may not be ending anytime soon, saying the latter allegedly disrespected his office by seeing himself as above constituted authorities in the state.

Oshiomhole made this known when he visited Chief Igbinedion’s ancestral home in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state, where he commissioned class room blocks at Iguomo and a three-storey office complex named after him.

The projects were executed by the chairman of the council, Mrs Lucy Omagbon.

Governor Oshiomhole, who was responding to a plea by a leader of the community that he should bury the hatchet with Chief Igbinedion, said that he had no problem with the Benin Chief but that his duty as governor of the state was to protect both the rich and the poor, and it was in the discharge of such duties that he had issues with the billionaire entrepreneur.

According to him, “I heard the Chairman talking about my quarrel with Igbinedion. I have no problem with anybody. There are only four levels of government, federal, state, local and traditional institution. The House of Igbinedion does not belong to any of this. He is a chief and I respect him as a chief but he must respect constituted authorities, the office of the governor of Edo State. This governor cannot be harassed, he cannot be blackmailed. And I stand ready to defend that office”.