A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Hon. Samson Osagie, has described as as ‘hell’ the reign of the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, before he eventually joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Osagie, a former House of Representatives member who was reacting to the successful conduct of the just concluded party primary in the state, prayed the state never had such a person as a governor again.
According to him, the exit of the governor from the party was a good omen for the party, just as he said the four months left for him as the governor of the state is for the PDP to have a feel of him.
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Osagie said, “We have been through thick and thin; we have been through a lot of troubles, since through his election to the post of governor of Edo State and through his administration, it has been a tough rough journey for the party as a whole and we pray and hope we will never experience the kind of torture we went through him.”
“I strongly believe that APC will hold on to power by November this year.
“This four months is a period of grace we have given to PDP to celebrate and taste government, that seat is for the APC.
“And we decided to take that risk for the overall heads and future sustainability of our party.
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“APC practically rejected Obaseki. You can see what is happening now, he joined the PDP last week and today there is a court order against him by a member of the party restraining him from contesting. He carried his troubles to PDP.”
On Obaseki’s stand to contest under the platform of the PDP, Osagie opined that Obaseki is not qualified to contest under the party within a week of joining the party.
He added that the governor joined the party when sales of Expression of Interest form had closed hence he is not qualified.
“He is not qualified to participate in that exercise. Ogbeide Ihama is exercising his legitimate right.
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“How can Obaseki be qualified to run for PDP primaries when he joined the party last week when the sale of forms have been concluded, including screening of aspirants.
“I am not a PDP man , let them test their constitution”, he said.
Commenting on the outcome of the APC primary, Osagie said it was the first time in the history of the state that there was no rancour after the exercise
“I want to congratulate the All Progressives Congress in Edo State for the successful completion of the governorship primary by direct mode.
“It is one process that was quite peaceful with the police and security agencies exhibiting uncommon professionalism in ensuring the peaceful conduct of that primary election.
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“Now the party has a candidate in the person of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with the very kind cooperation of other aspirants. This is one occasion where a party candidate emerges without rancour”, he said