The Edo State election set for later this year has gained more momentum with new developments.
In preparation for the forthcoming election, APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomole succeeded in convincing the party for a direct primary as against Obaseki’s camp that wants an indirect primary.
If Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State joined seven of his colleagues to satisfy the National Working Committee, NWC of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday, it’d have gone an extended thanks to end the feud between him and APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,
With Obaseki’s absence, it had been learned that the APC governors couldn’t convince the NWC and Oshiomhole to grant the governor soft-landing in his re-election quest.
Sources at the meeting told Vanguard that the APC governors couldn’t convince Oshiomhole to throw his weight behind his estranged godson, Governor Obaseki, for a second term, as he insisted on a direct primary to elect Edo APC governorship candidate while Obaseki and his supporters want indirect primary.
Seven APC governors had met with Comrade Oshiomhole in his Abuja residence to reconcile him with Governor Obaseki. Oshiomhole and Obaseki are hostile for a few time now.
The governors attending at the meeting were led by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.
Other governors present were Simon Lalong (Plateau), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Mohammed Inuwa (Gombe), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara).
Oshiomhole, who welcomed the governors, was surprised that the Edo governor was absent.
The source, however, told Vanguard that the APC chairman said he wasn’t averse to reconciling with Obaseki. it had been further gathered that Oshiomhole, in an effort to line the records straight, reeled out the genesis of the crisis between him and Obaseki, adding that the governor had botched many reconciliation moves made by him.
The source said: “When the governors came for the reconciliation meeting, Oshiomhole showed evidences of text messages he had sent to Governor Obaseki and his deputy on several occasions to settle the differences between them.
Rather than come for the meeting, the governor did not show up at every point in time and this makes it difficult for the comrade to try to to anything. it’s on record that the governor has refused to patronize party elders and leaders, who will mobilize other members during the election.
“Oshiomhole made it clear to the governors that it’s not about Obaseki but about the party in Edo winning the elections. Oshiomhole even expressed surprise that Obaseki wasn’t at a gathering his fellow governors called to reconcile them. “Obaseki and therefore the refore the governors visited Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the President but when it had been time to satisfy with him, he refused to hitch the governors.
That shows that the governor isn’t out for peace. “After his remarks, the governors were shocked as they weren’t conscious of of these details.
In fact, the Kwara governor expressed shock at the meeting, saying that he wasn’t conscious of the moves made by Oshiomhole. you’ll see that the governor isn’t curious about any reconciliation move.”
The PGF chairman, Atiku Bagudu, said that the meeting became necessary to resolve many outstanding issues that nearly consumed the party.
However, Obaseki said he would are at the meeting of seven APC governors with the NWC and Oshiomhole except for the decision from President Muhammadu Buhari. Special Adviser, Media to Governor Obaseki, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, told Vanguard on phone that Obaseki’s absence wasn’t deliberate, adding that the governor wants an end to the crisis but some people are busy stoking the hearth of the matter .
His words: “Governor Obaseki was on the way with the opposite governors to the meeting with the NWC when the President called him. He had to show from the convoy to travel and see the President. it’s not true that the governor is frustrating reconciliation moves. He wants to ascertain an end to the crisis but some people are busy lying and fanning the embers of hatred.”
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