By Sir Ralph Okhiria
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Owere Dickson Imasogie, has advised the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to urgently maneuver his way from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to another political party of his choice, if he is genuinely interested in contesting the 2020 governorship election in the state. Speaking from experience, the respected political tactician said the crisis in the Edo APC has overstretched to the extent that most leaders in the party have lost confidence in the governor and will never anoint him for second term, saying the APC leaders will give Obaseki the Ambode treatment. Owere Imasogie, however, insisted that PDP is the dominant party in Edo state.
Happy reading.
The vibrancy in the Edo PDP seems waning presently. What could be responsible?
I have said it again and gain that Edo State is a PDP state. In the last
general elections, PDP won the state for Atiku. But the APC used evil means to win the House of Assembly election and now you can see what they are doing to themselves. They took what does not belong to them. Despite that, Edo State remains a PDP State.
How is PDP preparing for the 2020 governorship election in the state?
PDP is very serious about the year 2020 gubernatorial election in the State. As at the moment, we have no less than seven aspirants who have indicated interest in the guber election. So, we are warming up for our party primaries where our governorship flag bearer will be officially unveiled. The PDP people will decide who will be their candidate in the State Governorship election. However, it could be possible that the party leaders will zone the governorship position to any of the three senatorial districts. That is just a probability. The
party leaders are yet to meet to take a decision on it. We are fully on ground and we have many credible aspirants lined up.
Sir, looking at the problem in APC; as a seasoned political strategist, what do you think is the real cause of the problem in APC?
The real cause of the problem in APC is imposition. Their party primaries were not done according to the rules. Those who won the party primaries were replaced either by Obaseki or Oshiomhole. And in the end, it is what you sow that you will reap. So, APC is reaping what their leaders have down. Theproblem in APC is just starting. Obaseki has fought very well and Oshiomhole is not relenting. It is only obvious that should Obaseki wins the party primaries, Oshiomhole will work against him and should Obaseki lose to Oshiomhole’s man, he will never support such candidate to win the guber election. So, anyhow, which ever way it goes, PDP will directly and indirectly benefit from the quarrel in APC.
That means the PDP is happy that there is problem in APC?
Well, if your enemies are fighting or quarreling, will you not be happy? We (PDP) are laughing at the APC.
Supposing Governor Obaseki decides to dump the APC and cross carpet to the PDP, will you receive him with open hands?
We accept new members everyday and anytime. If Obaseki comes to join PDP, we will welcome him. But for him to be our year 2020 party candidate, he will be given a level playing field like others who are already warming up.
So, what will be your advice to Governor Obaseki, if solicited?
I am sure Obaseki has his own ways of doing things. But one thing is very clear and that is there is no way, Obaseki will not be given the Ambode’s treatment, if he remains in APC and still want to contest under the APC. If he wants to be politically stupid like Ambode, he can remain in APC but if he wants to be relevant, I advice that he should move out of APC at the appropriate time but the earlier the better. Whether he contest under a new party or not,, he will remain relevant. Unless PDP wins at court, Oshiomhole and Buhari will definitely use the anti-graft agencies to hunt Obaseki when the time comes. My candid opinion is that if he has any skeleton in his cupboard, he should think twice before it’s too late. The truth is that APC is not a political party at all.
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