Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, says Adams Oshiomhole, his
predecessor, had no money when he contested the governorship election in 2007.
Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), who ran under the then Action Congress (AC) lost to Oserheimen
Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But he challenged the outcome of the election in court and
was declared winner one year later.
Speaking with reporters after submitting his nomination and
expression of interest forms for the 2020 governorship election to Emma
Ibediro, APC national organising secretary, on Wednesday, Obaseki said it is
wrong for people to say he betrayed Oshiomhole.
The governor said he not only helped Oshiomhole into power
but also made sacrifices to ensure he emerged national chairman of the ruling
party.
“In life, everybody gets helped, everybody gets assisted.
The person you talked about (Oshiomhole), he had no money when he left labour
to contest. We knew what we did to make him Governor,” he said.
“I sacrificed eight years of my life pro bono, I collected
to no Kobo to serve him in Edo. Today, we know what we have built because of
where we started from. So, when you talk of betrayal, the biggest betrayal can
be when people betray a cause, when they betray an idea.
“So, when you talk about betrayal, let us be very clear. I
want to put it on record that I am grateful, he assisted me just as I assisted
him. I know the sacrifices we made to make him national chairman.”
Obaseki, who has been having a running battle with
Oshiomhole, warned the APC national chairman to steer clear of the Edo
governorship primary election.
The governor said Oshiomhole is “an interested party” and
should not be involved in the primary election processes so as to ensure a free
election and a chance to reconcile the party.
“I am using this opportunity to call on Comrade Oshiomhole
to recuse himself from the Edo nomination process because he is an interested
party,” Obaseki said.
“It is against natural justice for a man to be a judge in
his own case. So I think the honourable thing to do is to recuse himself and
let us have a free process and let us reconcile and build our party.
“I believe that ours is a lawful party and we will do things
according to the Constitution of our party. So, direct or indirect, I am
certain I will win the primaries but we have to respect our constitution and
follow our constitution.”
He added that a single term as governor is not enough for
him but that an additional four years would afford him the opportunity to
consolidate on his achievements.
“Three years is not enough, four years is not enough to
crystalize all these reforms. So, another four years will give me that
opportunity to consolidate on what we have done and that is the promise of APC.
We are a reformist party, we are a progressive party,” he said.
“That is why I am here today to indicate my interest and my
desire to run for another term as governor of Edo so that I can continue in the
service of my people.”
On June 22, 2020, Obaseki will be up against Osagie
Ize-Iyamu, his PDP rival in 2016, for the governorship ticket of the APC.
Ize-Iyamu is believed to enjoy the support of Oshiomhole.
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