The Edo State factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the decision by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to reject the newly-constituted National Reconciliation Committee set up to address the problems bedevilling the party.
In a joint statement during the weekend in Benin by the chairman, Col. David Imuse and the secretary, Mr Lawrence Okah, the duo who welcome the setting up of the Senate President Ahmed Lawan committee reminded that it was one of the decisions at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, which had President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance.
Imuse and Okay said: “The APC in Edo State dissociates itself from the decision of the governor and his cohorts who no longer see anything good in our great party.”
He alleged that Governor Obaseki is the problem the APC has in Edo State, insisting that some persons whom he unfortunately brainwashed listen to his lies.
They reminded President Buhari and other leaders of the party that this was the fourth time Governor Obaseki would reject trouble-shooting Committees on Edo State and decisions made by respected institutions in this country.
They reminded: “First was the decision of the House of Representatives, calling on the governor to issue a fresh proclamation letter after he criminally inaugurated 9 out of 24 members of the State House of Assembly at 9:30pm.
They said that Governor Obaseki bluntly rejected that decision and accused the respected members of the Green Chambers of carrying out the bidding of Oshiomhole.
“The second was the senate resolution, which also advised the governor to do the right things as earlier directed by the House of Representatives. Again, Governor Obaseki flouted the resolution and went further to get an injunction restraining the NASS from interfering in the crisis situation in the state House of Assembly. Rather than embrace peace like the Governor of Bauchi did, which led to the peace being enjoyed today in the Bauchi state Assembly, Governor Obaseki ‘s ego did not allow him do that. Today, he and his cohorts have dragged the NWC, NASS and the State APC through the courts.”
“He had further gone ahead to declare vacant the seats of our 14 House of Assembly members who went to court in total disregard to the pendency of these issues before the court.
“Just a few days ago, our teeming supporters across the nation celebrated the setting up of a National Reconciliation Committee, which was the idea of our party leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, at the last NEC meeting. Governor Obaseki has, again, condemned the constitution of the Committee, which is ably led by our respected Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.”
They noted that the actions of Governor Obaseki was not a surprise to the APC in Edo State because the governor and his cohorts had left the APC in the spirit but are creating confusion to destroy the party in the state and blame their despicable action on Comrade Oshiomhole.
At the moment, Edo State Government House is now venue for meetings of PDP leaders in the state. But we are not worried about that because Governor Obaseki who failed to win his ward and unit during the Presidential election has no electoral prowess to upset the APC in the forthcoming gover election.
The APC in Edo State expresses its gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up the National Reconciliation Committee. Edo APC looks forward to the Committee’s deliberation in Edo State.
As a party, we want peace in our state. Therefore, we urge the Committee to disregard the position of the governor on this matter because Obaseki is not the owner of APC in Edo State.
Imuse and Okah emphasized that at no time, was our national chairman suspended from his ward.
While appealing to Buhari President and other leaders of the party to call Governor Obaseki, Imuse and Okah lamented that APC members are being hounded, beaten and maimed in any of their gatherings on the orders of governor.
The chairman and scribe said that they have implicit confidence in Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and firmly believe that he will lead Edo State to victory again in 2020.