Edo Governor denounces alleged defection plan, pledges loyalty to APC

The Edo State government has described the allegation of defection being leveled against Governor Godwin Obaseki by some individuals in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as false, insisting that the governor remains loyal to the party.

It was reacting to claims by governorship aspirant under the APC, Maj.Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) that Obaseki has already concluded plans to destroy the party in the state after which he would defect to an opposition political group.

Airhiavbere told journalists in Benin City that Obaseki has no reason to be scared of losing his re-election bid for 2020 or entertain any fear of impeachment, if truly he has performed well during his first term in office.

He said Obaseki was afraid because he has not done well and could be impeached hence he has refused to issue a fresh letter of proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly to end the crisis that has since divided the members of the House.

“He has been told to reissue a proclamation letter. The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has come up with a political solution and the state Assembly had resolved its challenges.

“Why is it that in Edo State where we have 24/24, the governor can not bring the state lawmakers together? Because he is afraid that he has not done well and may be impeached.

“And if we allow him, the opposition will take over, he has been all over the place trying to cross carpet and has left the APC in disarray. He has the Obaseki/Shaibu Movement (OSM) and the others have Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), but he wants to proscribe the EPM.

“We are also going to proscribe him because we have the same authority. EPM is not a registered political party, but a pressure group,” Airhiavbere said.

He pointed out that APC leaders in the state, particularly those of the EPM have remained undaunted and resolute in their efforts to rescue the party from slipping into the hands of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following Obaseki’s alleged poor performance.

“We want to ensure that the opposition will not take over Edo State in the next election. Edo has had the privilege of producing two APC National Chairmen, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

And they have been governors in the state. So, we can not afford to fold our hands as leaders of the APC and watch things go bad,” he added

But in a swift reaction, Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie said Obaseki was firmly rooted in the APC and he has recorded 100 per cent performance in his political career.

“He is performing, he is the leader of the party and he controls the party. So, who will he leave it for? The allegation is a complete lie from the pit of hell,” he said.

He maintained that Obaseki has a robust relationship with the presidency and his party at the centre. APC is the ruling party in the state and at the centre, so where is he leaving to and why should he leave?

The governor’s good records completely obliterate Airhiavbere, who is a serial loser. Obaseki contested governorship election once and he won. Airhiavbere has been contesting and has always lost even when he was a candidate of another party in 2012. Oshiomhole defeated him in all 18 council areas of the state,” he added.