Re-elected Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has asked Edo State citizens to “deal with me if I become a godfather.”
He also vowed that “God forbid I become a Godfather.”
Obaseki stated his position during his “thank you” visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja.
He is of the opinion that godfatherism is dangerous to Nigeria’s Democracy.
The Governor made the same vow on his tour to the PDP Governors who stood by him during the recent election.
Obaseki also told Edo State citizens to deal with him if he ever becomes a political godfather.
In his words: “God forbid I become a godfather, I should be dealt with accordingly because it is dangerous to the concept of democracy.”
He cautioned those who play godfathers in politics saying that it runs contrary to the nation’s democracy.
For the re-elected governor, allowing the situation to continue will lead to a structure worse than military rule.
In his words, “The godfather acts outside of the constitution. He now controls people who are constitutional players.
“If we allow such a situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule.
“When people who have nothing at stake, who have no checks and balances in them can just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution can be interpreted, that is why the concept is wrong,” he says.
In his response, President Muhammadu Buhari thanked governor Obaseki for visiting with his deputy even after defeating the All Progressives Congress in the recent Edo State Governorship election.
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