Edo State has been appearing on the news lately for the very wrong reasons.
The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new curve with the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. This was as a result of a vote of no confidence reportedly passed on Mr. Oshiomhole last week by the Chairmen of the APC in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. Oshiomhole was. Also accused of being the brain behind the crisis currently rocking the party in the state.
The APC Chairman and Assistant Secretary in Edo, Anselm Ojezua and Ikuenobe Anthony, respectively in a statement explained that Oshiomhole was suspended for his alleged role in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
The State Executive Committee adopted the vote of no confidence passed on him and the subsisting suspension order from the organs of the party in the state.
The statement read in part: “The vote of no confidence on Oshiomhole and the suspension are the fallout of his role in trying to disintegrate the party in Edo State,”.
They equally reasoned that the suspension was necessary to prevent a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State, where the APC was unable to field any candidate in 2019 general elections. This, definitely, was in consideration of the upcoming Governorship election in Edo State Shortly after this action was announced, another group within the party in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the body and Etsako West Chairman, Ibrahim Akokia, claimed that, the 18 LGA Chairmen of APC in Edo distanced themselves from Oshiomhole’s suspension.
They anchored their action on the premise that they were not aware of such a meeting where a vote of no confidence was passed on Oshiomhole who they said was “doing very well”.
On their part, they accused the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, of harassment and intimidation, adding that his actions could pull down the APC in the state. They, then called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to expel Governor Obaseki from the party over unsubstantiated allegations of anti-party activities.
These accusations and counter accusations in my view are unnecessary. The National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by virtue of his position has the responsibility to resolve all the crisis within the party, particularly those that assume national colouration such as Edo, Zamfara, Imo, Rivers and others. This is really not time for blame game or time to expect too much from the other parties. It is a time to look inwards and use both internal and external mechanisms to resolve all issues.
I strongly believe that Comrade Oshiomhole stands to benefit nothing from pulling down of Governor Obaseki. No man builds a house and destroys it. Oshiomhole should do everything within his powers, including conceding some grounds to resolve any issue with Obaseki.
In the same token, Governor Godwin Obaseki does not have anything to benefit in pulling Oshiomhole down. Obaseki should recall where he was drenched and where he was sun-dried. He should remember the good old days with Adams Oshiomhole. How Oshiomhole resisted all opposition three years ago and threw him up as his successor. That was the height of love and trust. What has gone wrong with that convivial relationship that people envied? Where did both men get it wrong?
When two allies are having this kind of ruffor-ruffor, some persons are definitely smiling to their banks. Some persons are feeding fat and definitely profiting from the crisis. It is important to identify such characters and dispense with them for a solution to be achieved. Many think the level the crisis has reached, it is already one of no retreat, no surrender. But I beg to differ. The crisis between Oshiomhole and Obaseki can be resolved and both men can work together again.
What is required at this point is for one to swallow the bitter pill and allow peace to reign. I insist that both men are important in the political equation of the country today. Edo people need Oshiomhole and Obaseki to play their strategic roles for the good of our people. Crisis will not enable us maximize their potentials. My appeal is to all those fanning the embers of crisis between both men to desist from doing so forthwith.
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Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.
