Choice Of Obaseki’s Running Mate Splits Edo APC
Choice of the running mate to Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the September 10 election, is generating a fresh crisis as leaders of the party in Edo North and Edo Central are locked in war of wits over which of the two senatorial districts should produce the would-be deputy governor.
It was gathered that the move by Adams Oshiomhole, the state governor, to present Philip Shaibu, member representing Estako federal constituency in the National Assembly, to the APC caucus for endorsement is the cause of the bad blood between the party faithful in Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial zones.
Reports had it that those who supported him for the nomination of his anointed governorship candidate are now unhappy, wishing that the appeal committee headed by Opayemi Bamidele cancels the primaries and order a fresh one where they hoped to pay him back.
APC leaders from Edo Central who have been praying that the running mate for Obaseki should be picked from the zone are now feeling betrayed by the governor, just as a leader from the zone who pleaded anonymity said that should Shaibu be picked as the running mate to Obaseki, the party should forget harvesting votes from the area.
However, Comrade Erhahon, Edo State APC Publicity Secretary, when contacted said, “Whoever is chosen as the running mate to Obaseki, as a loyal party man, I will help the party to market him.
“But if it is true that Mr. Philip Shaibu is the choice, wisdom demands that we must assuage the fears and angers of the united people of Edo Central Senatorial zone.”
Erhahon, who said that he was not a member of the party’s caucus and had not been consulted on the issue, pointed out that as a loyal party man, he only found himself doing damage control and repairs.
While insisting that the APC was not scared of any party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, the APC spokesman said, “We are only scared of the attitude and conduct of some of our leaders who brag even to those they seek help from.”
