Ministerial List: Oshiomhole, Obaseki At Loggerheads

By Akinwale Kasali

Embattled All Progressives Congress, APC, National Party Chairman, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is at loggerheads with his successor at the Edo State Government House, Governor Godwin Obaseki over the Ministerial list.

The once good relationship that existed between Oshiomhole and Obaseki has hit the rock, with the two political gladiators in the State factionalising the party.

The comments by Senior Special Assistant to the Presidency on Media, Garba Shehu, that  President Muhammadu Buhari will announce his ministerial list by July, the battle of supremacy between Oshiomhole and Obaseki, has worsened.

Oshiomhole is bent on presenting the ministerial list for the State to the President, to the disapproval of Obaseki, leading to a fierce battle between the duo.

Since the both  started this war of supremacy, the APC chapter in the State has been factionalised, with some APC members loyal to Oshiomhole as the National Party Chairman, while some are loyal to Obaseki, who primarily owns the party’s political structure in the State.

Oshiomhole was said to have boasted that he owns the party structure in the state and he has the right to do the lists.

It will be recalled that the cold war between Oshiomhole and Obaseki started over a year ago, following Obaseki’s refusal to allow Oshiomhole turn him to a puppet.

This did not augur well with Oshiomhole who enthroned Obaseki and gave him all the support during the Edo State Governorship campaign  years against all odds and to the dismay of some party faithfuls and stalwart who did not support Oshiomhole’s decision to choose Obaseki as the APC candidate.

The coming days will determine who wins the battle in selecting prospective ministerial candidates for the State between the two top political personalities in the State.