By Akinwale Kasali
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Primaries in Edo State scheduled for 22nd June, 2020, will no doubt be a battle of the titans between incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and APC National Chairman’s Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
And even though a Court in Benin on Monday restrained the APC from holding any Primaries until the substantive case is heard, the state is already tensed up.
The screening of Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu and four other aspirants that have purchased, filled and submitted nomination and expression of interest forms will be fierce.
The six aspirants are Gov. Obaseki, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Hon. Osaro Obazee and Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.
A member of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the APC told the magazine that “dangerous” discrepancies had been uncovered in the forms submitted by Obaseki to the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
The Party chieftain and NWC member who claimed anonymity, said those who are against the candidature of the governor were going to capitalise on the discrepancies to disqualify him.
He said, “Except for divine intervention, Obaseki will not scale through the screening. This is because even we that have little sympathy for him, may not be able to help. The discrepancies are too glaring to be swept under the carpet.” Asked to disclose some of the discrepancies, he declined, saying “go and check on Monday at our secretariat, look at it, you may see some.”
The spokesperson of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, had, on Friday, said the various submissions would be displayed at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja and in Benin City, the Edo State capital, for claims and objections Monday 8th June, 2020.
Issa-Onilu said, “We are calling on party members, and indeed members of the public, to assist the screening committee by scrutinising the information, credentials and documents provided by the governorship aspirants and availing the screening committee of counter and correct information, if applicable.”
Recall that controversies revolving around Obaseki’s certificate first started in 2016 when he contested for the governorship, and last week, it was rooted out again, as three APC members instituted a forgery suit in Abuja against Obaseki.
Speaking during a “thank you” tour to principal officers and ward leaders in Oredo Local Government Area of the state at the weekend, Obaseki punctured the claims on his certificate. He said, “They say I forged my certificate. How can you forge the certificate of the University of Ibadan (UI)? I am not like those that burn buildings to cover up their certificate issues.”
Speaking on the discrepancies, Issa-Onilu said, “ It is only after the screening that one will know who has issues or not.”
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the plot to disqualify Obaseki has created a fresh division in the NWC.
The magazine gathered that while some of the 21-member committee are with the plotters, others are not.
The feud between the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Obaseki has also polarised other organs of the ruling party.
Obaseki had, last week, asked Oshiomhole to recuse himself from the nomination processes of the primary, but the Party has been playing politics with that, failing to act on it.
It was stated by one of the NWC members last week that, “Oshiomhole does not have a personal role to play in the Edo primary, neither do the members of the NWC.”
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, while speaking on behalf of the Presidency said that the Presidency is avoiding a similar scenario of what played out in Zamfara and Rivers states to repeat itself in Edo State.
In his words, “As for what the president will do on APC matter in Edo, I don’t know. If I have anything to tell you, I will let you know. For now, I don’t have any answer.”
Obaseki, last week, was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he presented his forms to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that there is apprehension at the government house in Benin City as some staff are afraid that Obaseki may be denied the APC ticket.
But a source at the government house said that although there was apprehension somehow, the governor was leaving no chance in his bid to get a second term.
The source said, “I can tell you that the governor is not a push over in the fight for the party’s ticket, he is doing underground movement to ensure that he gets the ticket.”
Governor Obaseki has continually expressed optimism that he would get the ticket no matter the politicking that would play out.
A Source close to Obaseki said, “Obaseki is exploring all options, including settlement of the House of Assembly crisis, and also judicial option by challenging the waiver given to Ize-Iyamu.
“Oshiomhole thought they will just push Obaseki aside, but they have seen that he is not a push over. He is exploring other options which I can’t disclose to you now.”
As it is, time will tell.
