By Tosin Olatokunbo
After performing woefully in the governorship debate organized by Channels television on Sunday, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC has lost the support of a key member of his party, John Odigie Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the ruling party, few days into the make or mar election.
The governorship election in Edo state is slated for Saturday September 18 and the two frontline candidates need all the support of key stakeholders in their parties to emerge victorious.
Oyegun, a former governor of the state is a key ally of incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki who left the party few months ago in protest of his party’s decision to deny him the governorship ticket.
But Oyegun has remained in the party despite his avowed support for Governor Obaseki, the PDP governorship candidate in this week’s election.
The former governor, in a statement on Tuesday described his party’s decision to deny Obaseki the ticket “primitive politics” a veiled condemnation of APC leadership, analysts say.
He also condemned the “forced exit” of Governor Obaseki from the party, insisting that the decision was unacceptable to him and other chieftains of the party in the state.
The ex-governor said he “strongly advised against the mistreatment of Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki by the late unlamented National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC. Governor Obaseki stood bravely for the dignity and pride of his people and in the process suffered unacceptable indignities,” the statement read.
“In the matter of who governs Edo State, the people are sovereign and no individual or group of people, whatever their status, can decide on their behalf.
“I stand with the people of Edo State and urge them to to come out massively to exercise their democratic rights. They should vote for good governance, common decency, principled leadership, especially in the political arena and the protection of their democratic rights.”
Oyegun said the governorship election calls for bi-partisan approach, urging the people to vote with their conscience.
“They should by their votes make clear that it is their right to choose their governor and nobody else’s. There is no room for fence sitters. This is a special situation and primitive loyalties should and must be set aside. Remember Mr President’s admonition in an equally challenging pre-election situation in Imo State. vote your conscience,” Oyegun said.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has disclosed that it press ahead with the election despite recent violence in the state.
