Collateral Damage: Obaseki Reacts To Aides Backing Ize-Iyamu

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has downplayed the recent defection of some political appointees to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to back Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Governor Obaseki described their leaving his government as ‘collateral damage.’

He made this known in a statement on by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie.

According to Obaseki’s media aide, the defection can easily be traced to the monetised campaign of the opposition who, having realised that they are on the backfoot, are buying the souls of persons within government to boost the morale of their ebbing supporters.

“It is important to state that the recent defection of political appointees is not uncommon during elections, especially when the opposition wants to play mind game. They are inconsequential. But I assure you that Edo people are seeing through the façade,” the statement reads.

“In a government with over 800 aides spanning different structures from the Local Government Areas (LGAs) to the state level, the resignation of few persons after we have moved to a new political party is quite insignificant. So, they are inconsequential in the scheme of things.

“We are very confident that Edo people are with us in this fight. Some people may be battle weary and decide to jump ship. We hold no grudge against them. But, for this election and for the battle against the godfather that we have sworn to fight on behalf of the people, they may only count for collateral damage. We are undeterred.”

Naija News reports that a few of the governor’s aides have pledged their allegiance to Pastor Ize-Iyamu ahead of the Edo State Governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 19 for the governorship election.