Edo 2020: Punishment Awaits Gov Obaseki On Sept 19 – APC

• For attacks, insults on Oba Of Benin, Edo indigenes

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The All Progressives Congress (APC) says residents of Edo State are ready to punish Governor Godwin Obaseki on September 19, 2020 for constantly insulting and attacking the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, and prominent Edo indigenes over his second term ambition.

According to the party, Governor Obaseki, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the Edo governorship race, must face the consequences of his abusive actions and lack of respect for people of the State

In a statement by chairman of its Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, the Edo APC described as unfortunate, the governor’s continuous disrespect for eminent Benin indigenes, especially those that were actively behind his emergence as governor in 2016

Mayaki, who spoke on recent developments in the state, said: “Obaseki has offended the state’s morality, following a social media attack on the palace of the Oba of Benin, traceable to officials of the Edo State government, after the September 2 this year’s peace meeting with the Oba of Benin and series of attacks on the personality of Captain Okunbo, a prominent Benin son, Edo governor will be due for punishment at the September 19 poll.

“Clearly, with the endless roll call of notables, who have voiced their support for and are committing their names to the success of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the governorship candidate of APC for the September 19 election, the game is up for Obaseki.”

The statement further accused Governor Obaseki of offending “not just the political class that in 2016 superintended his emergence as governor of the state by his illogical predilections, but also by lording only seven House of Assembly members above whole seventeen in a 24-member state Assembly, Obaseki has offended the entire Edo State and its people.

“He offends the people and calls them illiterates, when he parades himself as a democrat. Clearly, today, he is a king without a kingdom. He lost the coming election well over three years ago.

“Captain Okunbo cannot, but be right in voicing his support for Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who today enjoys the favour of every meaningful individual, including notable industrialists and monarchs in the state, who are just too numerous to mention.”
Noting that: “Even the electorate across the streets of the state knows the next governor of Edo State is Pastor Ize-Iyamu”, the APC said: “As a loner, left under the heavy weather of politics, he must bring anyone down, in his bid to get a second-term ticket.

“Obaseki petitioned and took former Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, to court and ensured he was denied the chairmanship of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), just as he equally denied duly-elected members of the state Assembly inauguration, among others.”

Further highlighting the perceived sins of the governor against Edo people, the APC statement said; “Obaseki demolished hotels and businesses in Edo State, and with defeat staring at him, he wants to now make the state ungovernable.

“Obaseki is yet to recover from the twin-bombshell unleashed on him by Capt. Okunbo and the tongue-lashing reprimand by the Oba of Benin, especially calling on his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to call his thugs to order.”

However, in a sharp reaction to the APC statement, Governor Obaseki, denied any connection between the State Government and the article that attacked the Oba of Benin and others in the social media space.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, the governor maintained that no links currently exist between the State government and a social media post attacking the reverved Benin monarch authored by Canada-based Osaro Omoruyi.

Stoutly defending his principal and the PDP flag-bearer, Osagie’s statement said; “The Governor Obaseki-led government holds our royal father, Oba of Benin, in very high esteem and will never be part of any unholy plot to attack or undermine him.
“We have studied the article and the desperate efforts made by some persons to link the article to the Edo State government.

“In the political season that we are in, some misguided people can go overboard to impress their principals.

“We wish to advise such persons to desist from such irresponsible acts and accord the royal family the respect it rightfully deserves.”

The Governor therefore warned mischief makers against dragging the name and palace of the first-class traditional ruler into petty party politics as the gubernatorial election date draws near.