Edo 2020 Political WrestleMania (Pt 1):

Ize-iyamu Battles Obaseki Again * No Man Born Of A Woman Can Defeat Me- Obaseki * I’ll Defeat Obaseki Hands Down – Ize-iyamu *Act Now Before It’s Too Late – Shaibu Begs Buhari

By Sir Ralph Okhiria

Governor Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu are no strangers to each other. They met before in 2016 during the governorship election in Edo State. The battle was very fierce and when durst settled, Mr. Obaseki was victorious and crowned the elected governor of the state.

That was nearly four years ago. Yet both men are entangled in another political battle which many political watchers labeled as a”return match”.

During the first encounter, Obaseki was the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Ize-iyamu was the flagbear of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But now, both men will slug it out under the same political party, the APC. Interestingly, all things being equal, whoever wins at the party’s primary election would be as good as being regarded as the next governor of the state.

However, any mishandling of the party primary election would obviously lead to the Zamfara state guber election of February 29, 2019 election where the opposition PDP was rewarded with victory due to the unresolved crisis in the then ruling APC.

Curiously, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who played a major role in the 2016 governorship election, then as an outgoing governor of the state, is again at the middle of the Edo APC primaries, this time around as the national chairman of the party.

But currently, there are two factional executive bodies of the APC in Edo State. Governor Obaseki is in charge of one of the body while Comrade Oshiomhole is supporting the other group.

As expected, the two groups are tearing not only each other but the entire foundation of the party. Whereas the Oshiomhole’s group is insisting on direct guber party primaries, the Obaseki’s group is clamouring for an indirect election.

But in all these, the PDP is lying in wait to snatch the spoils of the political wranglings within the ruling APC in the state.

I’ll Defeat Obaseki – Ize-Iyamu

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has declared that in a free and fair guber primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he would defeat the incumbent, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

He spoke confidently during a Channels Television interview, boasting that Governor Obaseki stands no chance against him in a direct primary.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu accused Obaseki of treating party members with disdain.

He also wondered where Obaseki would see party members who would vote for him having neglected and treated them as criminals these past years.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu would stand against Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the June 22 Primaries to be held in the state.

No Man Can Stop My 2nd Term Bid – Obaseki

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says he is confident of returning to power as the first man of the state because “power comes from God.”

The governor who disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, noted that he is a man of peace, not a violent person.

“I am not a violent person. But I am confident that the way I got into power is the same way I will return.

“God gave me power. If he wants me to return I will continue. No man can stop me. Power comes from God,” he said.

Obaseki speaking concerning violence during election said he has always canvassed for peace and believes election should not lead to bloodshed.

The governor who also spoke concerning the political rift within his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, stated that he is not distracted, adding that his focus is on developing Edo State.

“We have always canvassed for peace. What are the issues in Edo and what are the issues that cannot be resolved in a democracy. Our concern is to use the resources of the people to develop the state.

“This shouldn’t lead to bloodshed. We will not accept to be cowed and intimidated because some people think that they can manipulate rules and cut corners,” he added.

When asked if it’s not the resources of the people of Edo State that was used for him to become the governor, Obaseki said, “I have friends with resources. I worked for eight years behind the scene before I became governor.

“So all that insinuations about using somebody’s resources…I became Governor on the platform of the party and I am grateful for it.”

He expressed confidence that the rule of law will prevail in the forthcoming Edo State election because he is sure that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari believes in the rule of law and will allow things to be done openly.

Obaseki further noted that he is not in contest with anyone, stressing that he is confident of victory.

“It does not matter whether it is direct or indirect (primaries), I will win,” he said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling APC, currently led by the National Chairman of the party and former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole had earlier on May 22 announced its decision to adopt direct primary for the coming governorship primaries in Edo State scheduled to hold on June 22.

Act Now Before It’s Too Late – Shaibu Begs Buhari

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the crisis rocking the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is bent on destroying the President’s anti-corruption legacy.

Comrade Shaibu, who spoke with journalists in his office on the crisis rocking the party in the state, stressed that there is ample evidence that Oshiomhole is not joining forces with the President on his anti-corruption crusade, but rather aligning with a man who has a pending corruption case to contest for the governorship seat in the state.

According to him, “My message to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the leader of the party in Nigeria, is for him to intervene in the crisis rocking Edo APC. I urge him to provide leadership at this critical time as Oshiomhole wants to destroy his anti-corruption legacy.

“Oshiomhole is not joining the President’s anti-corruption crusade but rather bringing a corrupt person that has a N700 million case pending in court to contest an election. Oshiomhole called this man a thief; it is the same man he is bringing to rob Edo people.”

The Deputy Governor said Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is not a registered member of Edo APC, and as such is not qualified to contest in the governorship election, noting, “Ize-Iyamu is not a member of the Edo APC because he is not registered in his ward. The constitution is clear on who a member is. He agreed to the fact that he didn’t register at the ward and his ward chairman didn’t register him.

“The constitution says for one to be a member of the APC in the State, he or she must be registered member of the party in his or her ward.”

Shaibu noted that Oshiomhole’s achievements as governor can’t be compared to that of Governor Obaseki, whose successes are resounding across the state.

“The Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) said every state executive should decide on their mode of primary and submit to NWC. We have done that and stand by that resolution. Oshiomhole is an interested party and can’t decide for us,” he added.

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