Indications have emerged that governor Adams Oshiomhole's choice for Edo 2016 governorship election is stirring controversy in the state.
Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State
Tension is reportedly mounting in the Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s alleged endorsement of Mr Godwin Obaseki, chairman of the Economic Team of Edo State Government.
Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in the state, the governor allegedly preferred Obaseki among other aspirants in the party, Vanguard reports.
Other aspirants include former governor of the state, Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor, Oshiomhole’s Works Commissioner and political son, Osarodion Ogie, former Minister of State, Works, Dr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Kenneth Imasuagbon (Rice man) and Gen. Charles Airhiavbere as well as Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu.
To many of the party members, Obaseki’s emergence as the governor’s anointed candidate is amazing while some feel it is because he is seen as a technocrat and not a politician. It is even rumoured that the anointed candidate has the backing of Africa’s richest man and a business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
It was learnt that last week, tension intensified in the state’s chapter of the party following the announcement of Obaseki as the governor’s anointed candidate by some leaders.
The leaders were said to have urged members to accept the governor’s decision. But it was further gathered that other aspirants have plotted to frustrate his emergence at the primaries.
Earlier, Oshiomhole, in an interview with Vanguard, stated his respect for all the aspirants. He promised that the party leaders would make sure that they choose a candidate that will retain the infrastructural development that his administration had put in place.
However, Rev Michael Egharevha, who is a stalwart of the party, disregarded such threats, noting that: “If Obaseki is the governor’s choice nobody will stop him. Oshiomhole made most of us what we are today and if he decides it is Obaseki, so be it, we will all support him. So if anybody is threatening, it is only a waste of time.”