Like in many states in the country, there seems to be this dichotomy between the southern and the northern zones, which has resulted in all the governors that have been elected, except Professor Ambrose Alli (from the Central zone) being from Edo south. You are from Edo north. Do you think you will be able to overcome this dichotomy?
I am sure God had a purpose for creating us the way he did. I think there is something about Edo State, which is unique. It is one of the few states that are named after a people. Many others are artificial creations but not Edo. Edo is not named after a river, a hill or any geographical feature. It is named after an ethnic group. Everybody from Edo State basically migrated from Benin.
We are not like other states where you have a mixture of Yorubas, Ibos and Hausas. Edo people are basically one. Our history is clear. Every Edo man regards the Oba of Benin as the father. If you listen to the dialect, you will find only slight differences. That is not to dispute the fact that the state, like many others, have been polarised along the senatorial zones, and for me, these are just artificial creations by politicians who do not have clear ideas to motivate the people to support them, so they emphasise the little differences in senatorial zones.
People who are bereft of ideas and do not have credible programmes to feed the people with are the ones who lead with ethnic, tribal and religious issues, et cetera. I think that the people of Edo State appreciate that as a labour leader, traditionally, we have been involved in building bridges across these divides. I have just had the privilege of presiding over, perhaps, the only viable pan-Nigerian organisation with membership from all the local governments, all the villages where you have a school, we have members there. I do not know of any other organisation that has that spread, and yet we were able to keep it together.

I don't think the interest of any particular sector of Edo State is in conflict with the other. In other words, what is good for Edo south is also good for Edo north and central. For instance, the imperative of developing Benin City doesn't have to be at the expense of the other cities in the state and in Benin, there is no village which does not have someone from there residing in Benin or even adopting Benin as their place of permanent residence. The people want a government that they can trust to meet their most basic needs. I have travelled round the state and met with all groups of people, and I think people see me as a unifying factor, as I cannot be tribalistic and petty. We do justice to all manner of people because all our life we have stood for justice and fairness. And we focus on people first and foremost.
We have always been identified with the struggle for public policy to be centred on the people. My claim to the governorship is not informed by the fact that my part of the state has never produced a governor. Of course, that is true, but that is not what informs my candidature. I am getting involved because I think I can make a difference. I can see the huge potentials of the state. We have a very active population in Edo State, people who believe in education and who will sacrifice anything to see that their children are educated. The people are enterprising. They have courage.
They are bold. In those days when we did not have all kinds of federal character, Edo State or Bendel dominated the federal civil service, the police, and to a large extent, the armed forces - all those jobs that call for courage and intellect and leadership, our people have always been there. With that kind of asset, what is just required is a leadership that can put in place sound, imaginative programmes. When my opponents will be playing up sectionalism, I will play up competence, reliability, trust. I will show what I have done before and tell the voters to support me so that I can do it for them. The challenge of 2007 is that the people want those they can trust based on past track record of performance. Real politicians are not native doctors, who will tell you what they can do without telling you how they will do it.