The crisis rocking the APC in Edo state has assumed a new dimension as validated rumours have it that the state Deputy Governor has entered into talks with the opposition PDP over possible coalition in the forthcoming general election in Edo state, in the event that he totally lost out in the APC primaries in a non-transparent or non free and fair primaries.
Leaking this information to us, one of the persons who attended the meeting said the code name for the meeting, according to Odubu emissaries, was termed “The Samson Option II”. According to our source, a senior female member of the Odubu campaign machinery, who pleaded anonymity, she hinted that the meeting was held at a location in Uromi with seven people in attendance, three from Odubu, three from PDP and one traditional ruler (not Onojie of Uromi) who was charged with safe custody of the document as well as witness and executioner of the MOU.
At the meeting, a strategy document termed “ – × – = +” was hatched and signed by all present. According to the strategy, Odubu agreed to work with the PDP in all material ramifications in the event of his losing out in the primaries due to interference by the governor. In exchange, the PDP pledged to welcome him back to the party as a leader and hand him the leadership of Edo South District. In addition, the PDP agreed to exempt him from from the probe that would be launched against the Oshiomhole government from January 2017 should the PDP dislodged the APC.
We can authoritatively reveal that that meeting that was held at Uromi with seven people in attendance had only one member of the PDP Exco (not the party Chairman) and a close family member of the Odubus with the rest being hierarchy members of the various campaign organisations of the both parties.
The nocturnal meeting was held between Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of January 2016. All six delegates of both parties signed the Memorandum. It was agreed that for the agreement to be binding, it must be endorsed by Odubu and the party chairman. It was further agreed that the traditional ruler who witnessed the contract was to take the document to both Odubu and the party leader at separate times and venues for their imprimatur. This was agreed to happen on or before February 12, 2016.
You will recall that a cold war has been brewing among members of the various camps within the APC since Adams Oshiomhole directed his loyalists to support Obaseki in apparent rejection of all hitherto jostling contenders, many of who even left their former parties with the expectation, even promise, of getting the APC ticket.
Investigations reveal that many party men within the governor’s loyalists in the Edo In Safe Hands group prefer Odubu in the unlikely event that the odds didn’t favour their first choice, Barr Osarodion Ogie. The Edo In Safe Hands group has been divided with only a minority, faction led by Philip Shaibu, agreeing, albeit reluctantly, to work with Obaseki. The majority of the members, including the Ihensekhiens, insist that it is either Ogie, Odubu or a rocked boat. Because of this divided loyalty, which is also noticed in other groups within the APC, coupled with the growing reputation of the governor as a man whose preferred candidates in elections always get defeated in primaries or even if they won as in Etsakor West II constituency, they get kicked out by the courts, the governor has thus perfected plans to manipulate the primaries this time around at least to repair that reputation. This has made the opponents, chiefly Odubu, not to leave any stone unturned in the race for the gubernatorial ticket.
As usual, we shall continue to monitor events and publish further leaks for you as they leak out. We advise you to send us leak of what is happening in your office, your party or in government circles and we shall publish and forever protect you as source.
(Urhokpota Reporters)
