Edo: APC Leaders Plot Obaseki’s Fall Ahead 2020 Election

By Walid Ogunseri, Benin City.

The once rosy relationship between the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor in office, Adams Oshiomhole has headed for the rock. Recall that Oshiomhole, now the National Chairman of the ruling All Progresives Party, APC was Obaseki’s major benefactor to clinch the office at the expense of other aspirants.

After Obaseki emerged Governor, the relationship between him and Oshiomhole was cordial until very recently when a cold war ensued has between the duo.

Though Governor Obaseki has always maintained that he has no problems with the ex-governor, but feelers from the state prove to the contrary.

What has now become a war, the magazine learned started during the APC primaries, when the former helmsman wanted to impose his candidates for the National and State Assembly elections on Governor Obaseki, a situation the governor vehemently opposed.

Though Comrade Oshiomhole succeeded in imposing some candidates on the party, Governor Obaseki refused to support the candidates as a result of this, most APC candidates lost at the National Assembly election.

Oshiomhole is not also happy the governor dumped all the associates and supporters as soon as he took power, sources told the magazine.

The Governor has simply refused to patronize them as usual rather he populate his chicken cabinet with his own people.

It was gathered that Governor Obaseki has continuously told comrade Oshiomhole supporters it would not be business as usual as “taxpayers money is cannot be dispensed for political patronage,”  another source said.

The source said, “We are taking development to those in the grassroots, we will not share money like the governments did in the past.”

Now that the 2020 governorship election is around the corner, the aggrieved party men and women said they are poised to have their own pound of flesh on the governor.

They have resolved among themselves that they will stop Governor Obaseki fron securing a second term in office.

One of them told the magazine that, “the APC leaders have commenced a search for a good replacement of the governor in 2020.

Four people and loyal party men are now being consider to replace Governor Obaseki and they include the former deputy governor, Rr. Honourable Pius Odubu, a former Minister of state for works Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi, Retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere and Honourable Osarodion Ogie, who is the current secretary to the Edo state Government,” he said.

Another source said “We are confident that these great members of our party will be better alternative to Godwin Obaseki who got the governorship position on a platter and thereafter started despising those who laboured and worked very hard to make him the chief Executive of the state.

“We have been able to stabilize the party because majority of our member are aware that the governor will not be granted second tenure. This is the reason some of our members and leaders have continued to remain calm and stand fast in the party.

We have never had it so bad. Governor Obaseki has turned his back on us as soon as he became governor, now we are prepared to pay him bank in his own coin by making sure he’s not returned as the party’s candidate for next year’s election.”

But some angry party leaders told the magazine that the governor can still redeem the situation. They insist that they are prepared to work with him if he’s ready to carry every body on board.

“Governor Obaseki second term bid rests squarely on his hands, if he is serious let him redeem the situation now before it is too late” the APC leader who pleaded anonymity said.

But as it seems, Governor Obaseki is not perturbed by the development those close to him told the magazine that what’s paramount to him is how to deliver the dividends of the democracy to the good people of Edo State.