TWO PRIMARIES LOOMS IN EDO AS APC SPLINTER GROUP ENDORSE IZE IYAMU.

.

The prospect of any likely settlement between the warring Edo State APC factions appears to be bleak with the reported endorsement of Pastor Osaze Ize Iyamu by the Edo People’s Movement (EPM) the factional arm of comrade Adams Oshiomole. And with this audacious move the die is cast. As it seems, the road to hosting two primaries now looms with the result predictable even before the whistle is blown. The results for the Oshiomole’s faction would be accepted by the national leader who has implicitly endorsed Oshiomole’s project of replacing Godwin Obaseki’s administration. Once the result of Oshiomole’s faction is upheld, Obaseki would be told to go to court; of course while that process is on, the APC would then consolidate-unless if  the courts did not entirely yank off APC from the race as happened in Rivers State. “We have tried to make Oshiomole see reason but since he is adamant, there is nothing anyone can do but to face him” said a disappointed party faithful.  “You can see that this man is simply self-destruct and is behaving as if he is bigger than the law”, he continued. “This kind of behavior is not democratic but autocratic and should be out rightly condemned”, he declared. But who will? That is the big question. With Abuja keeping mute and maintaining their distance,  Edo State is unwittingly edging towards a cauldron. The incumbent governor, His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki is not likely to budge and throw in the towel.  “Pastor Ize Iyamu is not coming to offer anything” said another fellow who doesn’t want his name mentioned. “We know his antecedent; he is not a democrat; he is a spoil sport and and a serial failure”, he continued. “When we talk of good governance, Obaseki is there, Oshiomole is only jealous of him because of his enviable achievements” he revealed. The arrowhead of the endorsement, one kabaka, a known apostle of the “stomach infrastructure” mantra, who has been a thorn in the flesh of the incumbent governor, minced no words when he declared that for them, Obaseki is now history. Extolling the virtue of Ize Iyamu, the said Kabaka, who is by no means a rough character and very popular in the streets, said he is the most preferred candidate because of his flexibility, accessibility and understanding. He blasted governor Obaseki for his stingy attitude adding that no government is run the way Obaseki does. Kabaka revealed that only a novice would allow Obaseki to continue in office since his alleged failed attempt to remove Oshiomole from office. But in a swift reaction, the South -South Professionals Edo State chapter condemned the actions of comrade Adams Oshiomole’s Edo People’s Movement calling them charlatans and ingrates. The professionals under their esteemed leader Chief Jones Ogwumike carpeted Oshiomole for embracing jungle politics and seeking to destroy the very fabric of democracy in Edo State with his brand of politics. The group lambasted Oshiomole for attempting to use his position as the national chairman to oppress Obaseki expressing disappointment that politics has been turned upside down since he was handed the position. “You can see clearly that these people are after themselves and their stomach”, charged Ogwumike. “This type of politics is reminiscent of the 60’s which resulted in operation “wetie”, and that is what they are trying to replicate”, he told our reporters. Chief Ogwumike lamented that sadly, no credible leader in Nigeria is able to call Oshiomole to order. “This is very bad and a threat to our democracy”, he added.  Chief Ogwumike then issued a clarion call for every Edo indigene to support Obaseki and ensure he gets the party’s ticket. However, reports reaching our news desk from Benin-City indicate that Obaseki has dug in and willing to run the full course of the war. The report says he is banking on the “approved “delegates lists drawn from the recognized party structure which is sternly under his grip. “ But you know that these people are lawless and they are coming with the support of the national leader of the Party himself”, disclosed a keen observer of the recent developments. “When they want you out, they will, and do anything to crush your resistance”, he said. Nevertheless, all hope is not lost for Obaseki. Should the two primaries remain controversial, the PDP would ultimately reap the fruits and emerge winner; or the courts would disqualify the APC from taking part in the election proper.