Political Instability: Oshiomhole’s Actions May Lead to APC’s Loss in Edo Election, Says Fayemi

Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has accused the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, of attempting to cause the All Progressives Congress (APC) to lose the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Fayemi claimed that Oshiomhole was trying to impose governorship aspirants during the cancelled primaries of the APC, instead of ensuring a level playing field.

In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Ahmad Sajoh, the former governor alleged that Oshiomhole was instrumental in ousting Governor Godwin Obaseki during the buildup to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.

Fayemi said, “Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed.

This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process.

That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo State by the APC.”

“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo State because of his unconscionable behaviour.

However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries,” he added.

Fayemi expressed hope that the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of the party.

The cancelled primary election in Edo State had produced three parallel winners.

The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Dennis Idahosa the winner of the election.

However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing the Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, as the winner of the primary.

On Monday, the event took another turn as Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo Central, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.

The controversy led to the APC declaring the primary election in the state as inconclusive.

The party also fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, for the completion of the primary election process, while Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State was named as the chairman of the primary election committee.

The political instability in the Edo State governorship election is a cause for concern, and it remains to be seen if the fresh primaries will indeed be conducted in a free and fair manner.