A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Dr. Godwin Oni-Edigin, has stated that the ongoing crisis in the state branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is irreconcilable. In an interview with Sir Ralph Okhiria, in Benin City, the PDP strongman said both sides into the crisis have crossed the lines due to selfish interests.
Please read on.
Why do you think that the crisis in APC is proving difficult to resolve?
There is no problem that cannot be resolved. But the problem in APC is difficult to solve because majority of the people involved in the crisis are fighting for their own personal interest. There is law of nature which says do unto others what you want them to unto you. The question is that why will only seven out of 24 members of the elected state assembly legislators sit down and say the house has been inaugurated? That is constitutionally illegal. The saving grace for the state is that anarchy has not been offered as a process to react to what is happening at the state assembly because if those legislators elect who were shut out of the assembly had gone to the house to stop or confront those that are there, it will results in violence but thank God that this did not happen.
Sir, so far the APC leaders have been unable to settle the crisis in their party; what would you have done differently if you were in their shoes?
In PDP, whenever we have problem, misunderstanding or disagreement, we always have a way of resolving such problems peacefully. Take for example during the regime of Prof. Osunbor, when we had the A and O groups, the two groups were brought to the table and we harmonized the various positions and everybody was happy and that settled the matter. My thinking is that the APC leaders have not done that because the cause of the problem is selfish interest. Those fueling the APC crisis are the direct beneficiaries of the crisis and they want the problem to continue so that they can continue to benefit from it. But the way things are now, I am afraid if they can still be able to amicably settle the problem because many of them have crossed the line to peace.
But don’t you think that the court is still capable of settling the problem in Edo APC?
Yes. I would agree that the court can settle it. But as things are now, it s obvious that the APC leaders have brought self destructions to themselves.
As a PDP chieftain, would you want the crisis in the APC to be peacefully resolved?
Well, the truth is that it is only when there is problem in APC that we (PDP) can continue to advance. So, for that reason, it is our prayer that they continue to quarrel so that the PDP can snatch power from them. APC is not competent of ruling this country or even Edo state.
Sir, is PDP by any means fueling the APC crisis?
Not at all. PDP has no means of interjecting with what is happening in APC. We do not have any house of Assembly member. Also, we will not support their quarrel because the APC quarrel could lead to major
problem in Edo State and that problem may affect the people including members of the PDP. If the APC members are fighting and shooting everywhere, innocent members of the public could be l among the causalities. So, PDP can never be part of anything that will make the people to suffer. But Nigerians should know that the APC is a failure and therefore, you can see that no one including security men is safe in Nigeria. It is a shame that instead of fighting for the interest of Edo people, the APC people are fighting for their pockets.
So, what is your assessment of governor Obaseki’s administration?
Their present quarrel has destroyed everything that he has achieved in the past. Now, there is tension in the state and everybody is afraid of the unknown. The APC has instilled fear on everybody and the people are now highly apprehensive.
What is your advice to PDP numbers as you gradually prepare for the 2020 Gubernatorial election?
That they should love themselves and speak with one voice. They should join hands to ensure that the party wins and form the Government in power. The PDP members should ensure fairness in the party primaries so that only the best can be our standard bearer. They must ensure eschew imposition of candidates. They should be tolerant of one another.
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