Gov Obaseki Not Ready For Peace In Edo – Oshiomhole

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has again chided Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo for shunning efforts at resolving amicably the crisis rocking the State chapter of the party.

Oshiomhole is accusing the governor of refusing and avoiding an all-inclusive meeting where all issues would have been tabled, discussed and resolved.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after receiving Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in his Benin residence, Oshiomhole said it is unfortunate that the governor has bluntly refused to demonstrate readiness and commitment to unite the party members and forge a common front in Edo State

He disclosed that about four governors had volunteered to attend the proposed meeting but Governor has consistently refused to be part of the reconciliatory meeting.

“The only way to iron out issues is to sit down and listen to complaints. He should not worry about the ticket, but how to win the heart of Edo people.

“The name of the game is persuasion not violence. The men whose cars were burnt yesterday will never vote for them again. It is unheard of to refuse somebody into your party; politics is a game of numbers,” the APC National said.

According to him, “l have said it before that the deputy governor is doing damage to his principal. I have to pay the price by staying away from the APC rally.”.

He said avoiding the rally was so that some unscrupulous persons would not have any excuse to go and  kill people and blame it on him.

“We will not go to their level; blood for blood is not our mantra,” he added.

Presenting Ize-Iyamu, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer in the 2016 Edo State gubernatorial election, to the APC National chairman, South South Vice chairman of the Party, Mr Hillard Etta, expressed delight to welcome the him back to the party.

“I never imagined that one day I will be performing this function because lze-lyamu was my boss. I did not see this coming,” he said.

In his speech at the event, Pastor Ize-Iyamu thanked the National and state leadership of APC for welcoming him back home.

He said; “l have always said that l am not coming to cause confusion in APC but to come and join in strengthening the house l helped to build.” – NAN