Edo North APC leaders warn Governor Obaseki to desist from attacking Oshiomhole

EDO State's Governor Godwin Obaseki has been warned by members of the local party chapter to desist from rubbishing the record of his predecessor and current All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

On November 12 2016, Governor Obaseki took over from Mr Oshiomhole as Edo State governor and will be facing re-election next year. With campaigning due to begin in earnest soon, it is feared by some Oshiomhole loyalists that the governor will criticise the achievements of his predecessor in a bid to  highlights the good he has done during his own tenure.

Yesterday, the Edo North Senatorial District branch of the APC vowed to resist attempts by Governor Obaseki to tarnish the image of Mr Oshiomhole. From Edo North, Mr Oshiomhole, who has since gone on to become the APC national chairman, is revered locally and seen as one of the area's favourite sons.

Party leaders in the senatorial district urged Governor Obaseki, to call his media team to order, alleging that they had embarked on campaign of calumny against Mr Oshiomhole, with a view to joining his political opponents across the nation in scandalising his name. After a meeting, several Edo North APC leaders published a communique to this effect, with those  signing it including High Chief Aloye, Chief Usman Mogaji Charlton and Ahmed Musa Momoh.

"The meeting passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Oshiomhole. We gathered to basically react to the publication in the Nation Newspapers, which tends to portray in bad light the party primaries conducted by the Oshiomhole led national working committee.

“We have no doubt that the advert was orchestrated by those in Osadebey Avenue who rose to power and suddenly forgot how they got there. We condemn that publication and urge the state government to stop playing hide and seek game in its attempt to rubbish the legacies of Oshiomhole, which we will surely resist.

“We also reaffirmed that the national chairman remains the undisputed leader of APC in Edo North and Edo State respectively and we resolve to always stand by him and stand for him at all times. Those attempting to destroy the hard-earned amiable character and reputation of the APC national chairman should desist from such unwholesome practice,” the communique read.

Apparently, the meeting was attended by leaders drawn from the 64 wards in Edo North Senatorial District. It is not clear if Senator Francis Alimikhena, the lawmaker representing the senatorial district attended the meeting.