By Ayodele Oni
In an indirect admittance that he regrets the exit of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that he failed as the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the heat of the crisis that led to Obaseki’s exit, Buhari did not put his feet down, to the surprise of many party faithfuls. He watched as former National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, humiliated the Governor, and eventually forced him out of the party. On purchasing his form to express his interest for a second term in office, Obaseki had visited the President, and presented his purchased Governorship form to him.
Not a few people think that Buhari punished Oshiomhole by allowing his sack as National Chairman, insisting on peace and transparency in the Edo Election, and congratulating Obaseki as soon as he was declared winner, and finally, now, receiving him in audience.
Obaseki defeated the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the September 19 elections.
“We have lost states across the country. Now I do not like to escape the responsibility, seeing as the leader of the country, I am also the leader of my party, that I am not leading the party very well”, the President told Obaseki.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, confirmed, in a statement, on Friday, that he (Buhari) spoke when Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu and others visited the State House on a thank-you-visit to the President over the last Saturday governorship election in Edo State.
He said that his single desire was to make sure that innocent Nigerians don’t suffer regardless of party affiliation.
“I thank you for bringing your deputy and supporters to come and see me after beating my party. I am supposed to preside over all Nigerian interests whether I like it or not, but my single desire is to make sure that innocent people don’t suffer. That message I got across to the Inspector General of Police, that elections must be free and fair.
“If contestants have too much money and they decide to spray, so be it. But what I insist is, nobody should go and raise a counter force to the government, arm heavily-drugged thugs to go and humiliate people.”
He told his guests that, “I want Nigerians to appreciate that I respect them as Nigerians and that I am bound by the oath I have taken, that their security is in the hands of God and in the hands of the government, which I am leading.”
President Buhari reiterated that one of his legacies will be to leave behind a political culture based on integrity.
“I am trying to make sure that the party is built on a civilised basis, rule of law and respect for human rights and human beings, right from polling units to local governments, to states up to Abuja and that’s what I have been insisting as my contribution to the National Working Committee and executive of the party.
“I know we are a developing country, a developing economy and trying to develop our political culture. I want the development of political culture to be based on integrity and accountability. Let people work very hard and earn what they are looking for through their hard work and through fair competition,” the President said.
He added jocularly that he was congratulating the Edo governor “reluctantly” because he defeated the candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress.
Neither Oshiomhole, nor Ize-Iyamu has congratulated Obaseki.
