Edo Crisis: No Room For Distraught Politicians In APC – Oshiomhole To Shaibu
- Says ruling party is not IDPs’ camp
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has mocked political opponents that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp where they can be accommodated after losing out in their respective political parties.
Comrade Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS), made the remarks while responding to the claims that the embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu is warming up for another round of romance with the APC.
Speaking when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, the former APC National Chairman said the party was comfortable and happy being in opposition in the state, warning that APC would not serve as a rehabilitation centre for expired politicians in the State.
In a veiled reference to Comrade Shaibu, who is currently having a running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki, the lawmaker said; “To say that somebody wants to run to APC; APC is not a rehabilitation centre. We, in APC, are satisfied with the way we are, we are happy in opposition. We are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out.
“There is no Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in APC. My advice is that those who are having challenges should learn to respect their bosses. I have always advised people that whoever you work with, be loyal. I was here, I was unable to support my deputy to succeed me. But my deputy never took me to court and if there are people who profit only from crisis, they cannot have my support.
“I also do understand, regardless of what anybody will say, I come from one of the clans from my local government area, and even based on the principle of fairness, it will be nice if only my clan produces governors. But I know Nigeria doesn’t work that way. There are those sentiments that people feel that at the level of development, everything should go round to other people. I pray that God is able to help us to have peace.”
The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, had earlier eulogized the sterling quality of the late Edebiri and described him as his forester father, explaining that he (Edebiri) took him as his son who was always ready to seek his advice on many issues of life and governance.
On governance in Edo State, Senator Oshiomhole said irrespective of any political party in power, his desire is for peace in the state, stressing that loyalty is expected in politics.
According to him; “Regardless of political divide, it is my wish for Edo to be governed in peace and harmony because the supra party we all belong to is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The political parties, given the rate of decamping and decamping, shows that the only thing that is constant is Nigeria and not the political parties.
“To that extend, as somebody who has had the privilege of being the Chief Steward at Osadebe Avenue, it is my wish that this government, and even the future ones, given in peace and help that we have peace and harmony.
“But if it is what I read about somebody going to court to complain about being suspected of being impeached, I don’t know how courts adjudicate over suspicion. May be I’m a very poor legal student. I don’t about that.”
