Edo 2020: Gov Obaseki Not Afraid Of Direct Primary

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has noted that the direct primary adopted by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, is no call for fear.

This is coming after a source in the party noted that the former governor of the state has thrown his weight behind the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osagie Iza-Iyamu

The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo State, Paul Ohonbamu, while reacting to the mode of primary adopted by Oshiomhole noted that the Edo State Governor is not afraid of the direct primary.

Hon. Ohonbamu in his reaction noted that it is wrong for people to claim the that governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is unpopular, which made him oppose the direct primary method.

He further stated that it is unfair for the former Governor of the state, Oshiomhole to preside over the selection of the par­ty’s governorship candidate, having publicly shown that he was desperate for Governor Obaseki not to be re-elected.

He said: “The governor of Edo State is not afraid of di­rect primary. He is ready for any form of the primary.”

“The constitution allows for either direct, indirect, or consensus, which was used to bring Oshiomhole back for his second term.”

“But this time, they are saying consensus is undem­ocratic but when it was used for Oshiomhole, it was not undemocratic.”

“Now that it is Obaseki’s turn, it becomes undemocrat­ic. You can see how they are propagating two moralities.”

“A few days ago, the NWC, led by Oshiomhole, said they had granted a waiver to Ize- Iyamu.”

The Commissioner questioned the decision of the National Executive Committee to grant the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a waiver.

“However, the APC con­stitution said waiver can be granted subject to the approv­al of the National Executive Committee (NEC).”

“The question now is, when did NEC meet to ap­prove that waiver that was granted to Ize-Iyamu?”

“In 2018, the NEC of the party said the mode of pri­mary will be determined by the state.”

“I don’t see anywhere NEC has met again to change that position. But Oshiomhole is trying to force his position on the state.”

“Aside from that, the general question in Edo right now is, how do you gather all the party members in the state to­gether for primary, consider­ing the dreaded coronavirus in this country and the need to observe social distancing?”

“Other states are doing all they can to stem the tide of the virus and Edo shouldn’t be acting differently?”