By Akinwale Kasali
Shock was what registered on the faces of many people when some members of family of the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki ,of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lined behind his opponent, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the expense of their blood relation.
Some prominent members of the large Obaseki family, openly endorsed Ize-Iyamu on Saturday, 1st August 2020, in a meeting at the APC’s candidate’s private residence in Benin.
Victor Obaseki, a cousin to Governor Obaseki, speaking at the meeting, admitted that although Godwin Obaseki is a family member and a kin, he won’t be getting the support of the family.
He said: “I am here today in the company of my cousins to support Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the executive governor, is our cousin.
“Generally, The Obasekis have their own way of doing things; we are a different branch of faith, we are supporting our brother, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu with unalloyed support fully for him.
“I have supported him before, and I would continue to support him. We would do all our campaigns for him without let or hindrance, fully from the bottom of our hearts.”
Appreciating the Obasekis, Ize-Iyamu expressed his delight at the support of the Obaseki family, stressing that this serves as a confirmation of the poor administration that Governor Obaseki has given to Edo state in the past four years.
In his words: “Let me thank you for the endorsement. I have known some of you for many years and I am very happy that politics has not strained our relationship.
“It is true, as Osaro said, that far away in New York, I had the opportunity of meeting with him and other Edolites, where I shared my ambition.
Osaro has been a good gentleman and humble man, and has always declared his support for me, and it basically shows that they are tired of Governor Obaseki’s administration, thereby advocating for change and Progressive government that will be people and purposefully driven”.
