No Retreat, No Surrender – Obaseki
Oshiomhole Will End Up In Shame – Comrade Oregbe
By Sir Ralph Okhiria
The much talked about year 2020 which will herald the conduct of the governorship election in Edo State has finally come.
Politicians who have been making serious preparations towards the election have started to intensify their campaigns for the election.
However, all eyes are on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly the two factions which are on each other’s neck over the control of the party structure.
Already, the political battle between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his former boss and benefactor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and their supporterss is a major source of concern not only to the APC members but also well-meaning Edo people.
Oshiomhole being the national chairman of the APC has placed his weight behind the factional state executive led by Col. David Imuse whose group is enjoying the recognition and patronage of the national working committee of the APC.
But Governor Godwin Obaseki recognizes the other faction headed by Hon. Barr. Aselm Ojezua. Both factions are struggling for legitimacy which for now is farfetched.
Nevertheless, the clock for the governorship elections particularly the APC guber primaries is around the corner. The political battle is commonly referred to as that between Oshiomhole and Obaseki by many Edo people. So who blinks first? only time will tell.
But curiously, whereas on one hand, Mr. Oshiomhole and his foot soldiers are ready to do everything possible to prevent incumbent governor from getting second term, Governor Obaseki and his supporters on the other hand are boosting that the party primaries will be a walkover for them.
Recently at a meeting with members of the APC in Oredo Local Government Area of the State, Governor Obaseki told them not lose sleep over the 2020 election, saying that his government has done well enough to secure second term.
He disclosed that he has gone too far into the election matter and would not retreat or surrender to any person or group of persons.
According to him, “do not lose sleep over 2020 governorship election because no man is God. When they say I am a mosquito, I was never worried; I told them that mosquitoes can bite. The bite can cause malaria and if not well-treated, it can kill someone. Those bittern are already on life support but we pray they don’t die.
“The last time an incumbent ran for governorship in our party in the state, it was a consensus. It will happen again; we will all agree on consensus. Whether direct or indirect primary, you, the people will vote.
“Our plan is on the election, not the primaries”, Governor Obaseki added.
But a Benin-based unionist and political Activisit, Comrade Oregbe Omorodion wants national chairman of the APC to urgently reconcile with his successor, noting that it is only a fool that pulls down the house he labored hard to build.
“There is no denying the fact that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole assisted Mr. Godwin Obaseki to become governor of the state. After doing that, is it proper for him to now try bring Governor Obaseki down? It is unwise to do so; moreso, he (Oshiomhole) is the national chairman of the Party.
“If Oshiomhole refuses to back down or soft-pedal and at the end of the day, Obaseki comes out victorious in the election; will Oshiomhole not end up in shame?”, Comrade Oregbe added.
In about three months time, the APC shall go into the primary election and thereafter it will become clear as who the victor or vanquished is between Mr. Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki.
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