Contrary to the insistence of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State that he would decide his successor this year, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has told governorship aspirants in the South-South state to make their intention known to party members “because we have no anointed candidate”.
Odigie-Oyegun spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with APC governorship aspirants at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
“Once I open my mouth to support any candidate, it hampers my ability to be objective and fair in the process. The minute you begin to tell anybody ‘why don’t you step down’, the next question is ‘what is in for me’?
“The APC has recorded credible primaries with examples being the presidential primaries and primaries in Kogi and Bayelsa states. Even in the case of Bayelsa State where there were issues, the party cancelled the first primaries an ordered a fresh exercise, all in a bid to achieve credible primaries.
“The party assures of credible primaries for the Edo State governorship when the time comes and may the best candidate with the right credentials and capacity emerge.” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, one of the aspirants, Ilenre Austin Emuan, said: “All aspirants were invited for a meeting with the national leadership of the APC to come and have a chat as far as the campaigns for the Edo State gubernatorial elections are concerned and it was a very fruitful meeting.
“As we know, the political climate in the state (Edo) is getting warmer, hence the party felt we had to meet so that we could be reminded of the party manifesto, ideology and the fact that everyone should embrace the rule of fair play and above all, to assure everyone of us that all the aspirants will be given a level-playing field.
“Of course, there are a lot of insinuations going around that there is an anointed candidate but today, all that has been laid to rest. I can say that many of us left with so much confidence about the APC and in the process of the forthcoming primaries in Edo State,” he stressed.
Aspirants present at the meeting were: Emuan; Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki; Senator Oserheimen Osunbor; Kenneth Imasuagbon; Omon-Irabor Casely; Chris Iyare; Chris Ogiemwonyi; Gen Charles Airhiavbere (rtd); Prof. Ebegue Amadasun and Blessing Agbomhere.
