…Insists Oshiomhole remains suspended
…Assures INEC will soon conduct fresh election to replace 14 state lawmakers
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state may have gone beyond any form of reconciliation following the state governor, Godwin Obaseki’s declaration that he has gotten the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to deal with all the members he described as playing anti party ahead of the states governorship election in 2020
Governor Obaseki, who spoke while addressing party faithful at Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas at Sabongida – Ora insistied that the National Chairman of the party and immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, remains suspended from the party.
The governor, who maintained that the APC is united in Edo state disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would soon fix a date to conduct a fresh election into the vacant positions at the State House of Assembly.
He said the APC in the state is united, strong and formidable, stressing that the pro Oshiomhole group and members of the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) are not members of the APC.
“Members of the EPM are trying to frustrate the good plans we have for Edo people as their plan is to burn markets and government buildings. Their intention is to discredit our administration but the people of Edo know better.
“APC is one party; those that say they are in EPM are not APC, including their National Chairman who we have suspended in Edo State. Those mistakenly elected into Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) who are members of EPM have been thrown out and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware and will soon announce date for a fresh election, where we would have opportunity to elect credible representatives who will represent us in the House.
“Any person doing anti-party activities, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked us to deal with them. We have been told to go back to organise our party; that’s why we are here. As a ruling party in the state, we have done a lot for Edo people, moving the state forward progressively but EPM are afraid of progress and will do anything to ensure we don’t get another term”, Obaseki said.
He maintained that former governor Oshiomhole has lost the support of Edo people, adding that his plans to create faction of APC in Edo State can’t work.
“We are still intact, strong and united. Our politics in Edo State is transparent and can’t tolerate any act of dubiousness. If you are a progressive, you must be a real Progressive”.
