Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed his indifference to the primary system adopted by the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC) in choosing its flag-bearer for the state’s 2020 governorship election.
Mr Obaseki, who spoke during a phone interview on Channels TV’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, on Wednesday said he’s sure of having the party’s nod to fly the APC flag at the polls.
“It doesn’t matter whether it is direct or indirect primary, I will win because I know what we have done in Edo State,” he said.
Yet he registered his reservations against the mechanism that gave birth to the announced system and other speculations around the state’s upcoming governorship elections.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the National Working Committee chaired by Adams Oshiomhole adopted a direct primary system for its primary election to governorship on June 22, a decision opposed by Mr Obaseki ‘s spokesman and the Edo State party group led by Anselm Ojezua, as they demanded that indirect primary be adopted.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a founding member of the state party and an alleged National Chairman candidate, was also given a waiver by the body.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Governor, Crusoe Osagie, in his reaction to last week’s APC NWC resolution, said the body has no constitutional right to determine the primary method of party in the governorship race of the state.
Mr Osagie had stated in a telephone interview that Mr Oshiomhole ‘s led NWC “cannot stand the test of legality.”
In section 13.4 of the party’s constitution, it stipulates that the body can “propose to the NEC, party electoral regulations, to govern the conduct of elections to all party offices at every level and to govern the procedure for selecting party candidates for elective offices, subject to the constitution.”
Commenting on Mr. Ize-Iyamu’s growing acceptance in the party and his possible defection to the main opposition, PDP, in the ticketing state, Mr. Obaseki said that he was not in any way disturbed that“any contest would be no contest if it is not manipulated.”
“Well, they (PDP) are free to open their doors but I have enough doors in my own house (APC). I don’t have any reason to look into another person’s compound because I am comfortable in my home, for now,” he declared.
He recognized the role played by his friend-turned-political rival, Mr Oshiomhole, in his ascension to his position as governor, but faulted his style of running party affairs.
“Yes, I have issues with the national chairman. Yes, we suspended him from the party in the state because of his anti-party activities but I am not sure the party would sit down and allow him to be the judge or master, which he is revolving into.
“APC is not the sole property of one person or the chairman. APC is a collection of interests; APC is a political party that is governed by rules. Even if people are lawless, it doesn’t make the party lawless,” he said.
