How Buhari Endorsed Obaseki, Akeredolu Second Term Bid – Oyegun

The former National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the second term bid of Governors Rotimi Akeredolu and Godwin Obaseki.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Edo and Ondo States Governorship election for September 19 and October 10 respectively.

In an advertorial published in some national newspapers on Thursday, Oyegun, a former Governor of Edo State, stated that Buhari had asked the APC to give the two governors the right of first refusal.

“I also welcome most warmly the news that Mr President has firmly endorsed the agreement reached to settle the disruptive leadership crisis at the national level that was threatening the very existence of the APC,” he said.

“The immediately relevant part of the agreement was that both the governors – Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki of Edo State and Mr Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN of Ondo State have performed creditably and should be returned unless they do not so wish.

“This means that the party, in unity, should organise to support the return of both governors.

“Our democracy, of course, has no room for imposition, so the party must accept and also present members that offer themselves to serve in the positions being occupied by the incumbent governors.”

Speaking on Edo State, Oyegun said Governor Obaseki had performed well and deserved to have a consensus built around him.

He, however, said if a consensus cannot be built, then the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole should not be allowed to conduct the party’s primary in the state.

Naija News recalls that Godwin Obaseki and Oshiomhole had been at loggerheads over the running of the party in Edo State.

“Everything must be done to ensure that the persons in the leadership of the party at the centre who are part of the contrived crisis in Edo State must not even remotely be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the primary election,” he said.

Oyegun said allowing any member of the national leadership involved in the crisis in the state would be contrary to the principle of natural justice and would be resisted.