Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Wednesday declared support for Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki who is seeking a second term.
This is as he declared “some persons in the leadership of the party (APC) are part of the contrived crisis in Edo state and must not be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the primary election in the state,” in a veiled attack pundits believe is targeted at Adams Oshiomhole who has been in a battle with Obaseki over the Control of the party in the state.
Odigie-Oyegun reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of the outcome of the reconciliation in the ruling party, stressing that part of the agreement was the decision to give automatic second term tickets to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Ondo State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
He said Obaseki deserved re-election because he has neither offended party constitution nor brought the party into disrepute.
READ ALSO: Polls: INEC Prepares To Engage Stakeholders For Edo, Ondo Guber Elections
Noting that Obaseki has fought infrastructure battle in Edo and presided over a peaceful state, Odigie-Oyegun said Edo must prove that democracy can survive without creating a situation whereby an individual or a small group can make or unmask the governor or other elected officials at will.
He said if for any reason Obaseki cannot be the consensus candidate, those creating crisis in the state must not be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the APC primary.
He added: “Transparency must start with guidelines as to how the primary elections will be conducted. This is yet to be issued, even though dates have been announced. The nature of the primary election in Edo State will determine the shape and survival of APC as a political party.
“It will show Nigerians, and indeed the world whether APC is a party of truth, change and progress, driven by the principles of fairness, social justice and equity, or if it has become a party that believes and promotes business as usual.”