Whether or not the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has grown wings overnight is something to be confirmed, but the former political neophyte has undoubtedly thrown in the towel to defend his throne.
The plan to unseat him thickens as some aggrieved members and leaders of the Edo State All Progressives Congress unite to unseat him over his refusal to play ball, or if you will, award contracts to capable Edo sons.
A more profound light into the crux between the former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole who seems to be swelling on crisis across the party, and his former bride, Godwin Obaseki showed that the devil could not give you a child without repercussion.
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Obaseki was the National Chairman of Edo Economic team, Oshiomhole’s Economic confidante before he graduated him to become the flagbearer of the party in 2016, against all the odds.
The members targetting the head of the governors were those who fought tooth and nail, defending and axing anyone on social media who dared criticized their ticket to a greater height.
The cookie crumbled after the Governor started patronizing outsiders, mainly his cronies from Lagos and Delta States against those who catapulted him to the throne. The Governor has not hidden his distrust for those he believed want Edo peoples’ money for free.
For the man whose pride is taller than his natural height, he is so far decimated by his crippled logic that no man is God and a mission to end godfatherism in the State.
Just like in the case of Goodluck Jonathan vs Olusegun Obasanjo, Obaseki sees himself as the Ambode of Edo State if he doesn’t defend his home. He started placing his loyalists at strategic places after Ambode succumbed to threat from his political godfather. The Governor knew the capability of the man who hands over power to him; he is unforgivable, an expert chess player who can sacrifice the Queen to checkmate the king.
Obaseki surprised everyone recently when he was quoted to have said that he was not a weakling, trying to surprise his critics who believed he was a political neophyte.
Sources believed that the deputy governor Philip Shaiubu whose relationship with Oshiomhole was like bread and butter is responsible for the sudden audacity of the governor.
Philip knows Oshiomhole, and they had shared meals to identify each other’s weaknesses. The closeness led to the confidence Oshiomhole had on him, hoping, perhaps, he will make a good loyalist. Like many politicians, Philip is an ambitious man who has a significant political dream to possibly, be the Governor of the State in the nearest future.
A few days ago, the Governor called a meeting to appoint canvassers from the three wards in the State only for him to send a representative, a Special Adviser on Community Development Honorable Newman Ughiagbe., a move that seems to buttress the anger further that he has no value for the party faithful.
The source said “Again The Nature Of Governor Obaseki kept manifesting as he was absent from the meeting requested by him with three persons per ward. The people felt terrible and promise not to work with the Mou Governor.
“The Governor was represented by Hon. Newman Ughiagbe, Special Adviser on Community Development. What a confused Government.”
John Mayaki reported on Saturday that Obaseki ran to his former boss, the business tycoon Alico Dangote and President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the crisis.
In the meeting was billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, the Deputy National Chairman Southwest, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Deputy National Chairman South-South, Innoncent Enot and the APC candidate for the Imo governorship election, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Mayki reported that Obaseki turned down the suggestion of Mr President to appeal to Oshiomhole. He “proclaimed unwisely that he would only meet with the Adams Oshiomhole after the National Chairman addresses a press conference denying all media claims on the crisis, especially as it relates to the stance of the Edo APC that he will not be getting another term over his corruption and incompetence.
The outcome of the meeting remains unclear, but the responses in the next few days from those loyal to the former governor will surely throw more light.
As the battle thickens, Obaseki’s faith hangs in the balance as the force fighting to unseat him are more than his loyalist. It is too early to tell whether his stance to prove his “gladiation” will yield result as his faith will be determined during the upcoming primaries.
The fear might remain that his attitude towards political leaders in the State will be unstoppable if he returns to Osadebe Avenue, knowing that he has nothing to lose.
Whether Oshiomhole will forgive him or not remains a dream as many have described the former Edo State governor as unforgivable and cunny.
The following weeks will determine whether Obaseki is a political neophyte as described by many or an unsung political gladiator.
Who Benefits From APC Crisis?
While the APC is washing its dirty clothes in public, the Peoples Democratic Party is collecting data ahead of its battle with the ruling party in the State.
The fight gives an edge to the PDP, that is, if the dispute is not resolved before the coming election, or if members of the party jump ship as a form of protest against Obaseki.
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