18 APC Prominent Leaders Against Obaseki’s 2nd Term

Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki is the governor of Edo State. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He assumed office on November 12, 2016, after defeating his main rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, then of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the governorship election.
Obaseki’s electoral success at the governorship polls was due largely to the role played by the then governor of the state now National Chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.
Two years into his tenure, Governor Obaseki ran into political problems and now hated by the majority of the APC leaders that stood for him to win the governorship election.
Some of the leaders alleged that the incumbent governor neglected them while others claimed that he is not a jolly good fellow, yet others alleged that he is selfish with the spoils of office. The governor was also accused of deviating from the blue print of the party.
Therefore, they have vowed to deprive Governor Obaseki a second term in office.
But the governor on the other hand insisted he has done no wrong to any of his fellow party leaders and members and vowed not to share government money to politicians under whatever guise.
Governor Obaseki further insisted that his second term bid was not negotiable, even as he expressed confidence that he would overcome any obstacle on his way to actualizing his second term ambition.
Both sides have since gone to work to actualize their political desires. The 18 strong APC members against the second term bid of the sitting governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki are scheming to stop him while himself (Obaseki) is seriously resisting to be pushed out of the governorship race unceremoniously.
But Edo people will not have to wait for too long to see the outcome of the political struggle between the two opposing forces because the APC governorship primaries which will determine the winner is about three months away.
The 18 strong APC prominent leaders include the following:

1. Barrister Henry Idahagbon: He was an elected Chairman of Egor Local government Council. He is also a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is co-founder of Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), a political pressure group under the APC, Edo State Chapter.
2. Rt. Hon. Barr. Samson Osagie: He spent two tenures (eight years) at the Edo State House of Assembly as the member representing Uhunwode Local Government Area. He also spent eight years at the House of Representatives as Orhionmwon/Uhunwode representative. He is a co-founder of Edo Peoples Movement (EPM).
3. Mr. Adams Oshiomhole: He is the estranged Political godfather and predecessor of incumbent governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. He is erstwhile Nigeria’s labour leader and currently the National Chairman of the APC.
4. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu: He contested the governorship position under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Mr. Obaseki in 2016 and lost. Now he is back to the APC and interested in being the Landlord of Osadebey Avenue, the seat of government in Edo State. He is a political tactician.
5. Rt. Hon. Dr. Pius Odubu: He is the immediate past deputy governor of the State for eight years. He lost the governorship primaries of the APC in 2016 to Mr. Godwin Obaseki who was mighty helped by the then governor, Mr. Oshiomhole. He served as the representative of Orhionwon/Uhunwode Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives for eight years.
6. General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd): He contested the governorship election under the PDP in 2012 and lost to Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. He later cross over to the APC and contested the 2016 governorship party primaries and lost to Mr. Obaseki. Informed sources say he wants to try his luck again.
7. Engr. Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi: He is a retired Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He later became the Minister of Works (State) under the PDP government. He later moved to the APC and contested the party’s governorship primaries in 2016 but lost to Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
8. Chief (Dr.) Francis Inegbeniki: He is a powerful businessman and influential politician. He says Mr. Obaseki is not worthy of second term as governor of Edo State.
9. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere: He was a Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo. He later became Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) under the administration of Mr. Oshiomhole. He is presently a member of the House of Representatives.
10. Rt. Hon. Patrick Ikhariale: He was a two-tenure member of House of Representatives, representing Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency. The PDP denied him of his third term ambition to the House of Representatives. He later left the PDP and joined APC.
11. Rt. Hon. Pally Iriase: He was a member of the state House of Assembly under the Platform of the PDP for eight years. He later dumped the party and pitched tenth with the APC then ACN where he was made Secretary to State Government (SSG) by Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. He was also a House of Representatives Member.
12. Col David Imuse (rtd): He is the factional chairman of the APC, Edo State chapter. His leadership is recognized by the national body of the party.
13. Mr. Osakpamwan Eriyo: He was a youth leader of the APC and currently the President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). He is one of those working strongly to see the exit of Governor Obaseki from State House.
14. Mr. Lawrence Okah: he was state secretary of the APC until few months ago when he was driven out of the position by the Barr Aselm Ojezua-led exco. He is presently the factional secretary under the nationally recognized APC state executive.
15. Mr. Victor Eboigbe: He is one of the APC top leaders in Edo Central Senatorial District. He is also an in-law and close ally of Mr. Oshiomhole.
16. Hon. Washington Osifo: He was the commissioner for Eduation in Edo State in the government of Mr. Oshiomhole He is also one of the 14 Legislators-Elect that who are yet to be sworn-in as Honourable members of the Edo State house of Assembly.
17. Hon. Chris Okaeben: he was a member of the state House of Assembly between 2015 – 2019. However, he was reelected for second term as reprsetative of Oredo West Constituency but yet to be swron-in.
18. Mr. Seid Oshiomohhe: He is the younger brother of the National Chairman of APC. He was elected last year into the state house of assembly representing Etsako West II. He is yet to be inaugurated.

About Author