The meeting with aggrieved APC aspirants in the recently concluded gubernatorial primary election in Edo State by Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Mr. Babachir David Lawal did not yield the desired results
By Alltimepost.com
Aggrieved gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State who alleged they were robbed of victory at the just concluded governorship primary election left the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Mr. Babachir David Lawal disappointed on Thursday.
Alltimepost.com gathered that the meeting which was said to have been called to resolve the issue from the nomination exercise fell short of the aspirants’ expectation.
They had expected that what happened would be critically reviewed, followed by negotiation with them, but that did not happen, according a reliable source close to the party.
They and some party stakeholders in the state, including Governor Adams Oshiomhole had been summoned to Abuja on Wednesday, following the crisis that trailed the nomination exercise, now rocking the party in Edo State, ahead of the State governorship election slated for September 10, 2016.
According to our sources, Mr. Lawal first met with Governor Oshiomhole, who had been accused of meddling in the nomination exercise, with undue influence that tipped the scale of victory to his anointed political son and businessman, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Details of the meeting were not made known, but Alltimepost.com was hinted that the outcome of the SFG’s meeting with the aspirants gave an insight into what the he discussed with Oshiomhole.
Alltimepost.com was also told that during the meeting, aspirants, especially, serving Deputy Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Pius Egberhanmwen Odubu, Engr. (Dr.) Chris Ogiemwnonyi and Kenneth Imasuangbon aired their grievances against the outcome of the nomination exercises which they alleged was fraught with irregularities.
The main issue was said not to have been resolved and there was no negotiation with the aspirants that would have placated them to drop their anger and work for the part’s success in the forthcoming election.
The SFG was said to have appealed to them during the meeting, having heard their grievances to bury their hatchets and work with the candidate to win the election in September and that as party members they were one family.
The meeting which was said to have lasted about four hours acknowledged the enormity of the issue and that it was capable of having a devastating effect on the chances of the party emerging victorious at the election, if left unresolved.
Alltimepost was also told that, among the aggrieved aspirants, Dr. Odubu, Dr. Ogiemwonyi and Mr. Kenneth Imasuangbon were in the forefront of fighting for justice and fairness, while the remaining aspirants appeared to be playing the solidarity role.
More of such meeting is said to be in the making in the near future.
Meanwhile, the joint petition filed by Dr. Ogiemwonyi and Mr. Kenneth Imasuangbon is still being examined by the appeal panel or committee, according to sources close to the party.
Oshiomhole’s Arrogance Will Mar Reconciliation Efforts – Party Source
As aggrieved aspirants still reel from the wounds inflicted by their controversial defeat at the primary election, the State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the man at the center of the controversy, has allegedly not made any contact with them, a reliable source close to the party and Edo State House hinted Alltimepost.com.
According to the source who preferred to remain anonymous, “Oshiomhole’s arrogance will mar reconciliation Efforts” and that if it happens, the party will pay the ultimate price at the poll.
But when Alltimepost.com contacted the Press Secretary to the Governor from the United States over the phone, Mr. Peter Okhiria, he debunked such allegation, saying: “that is not true.”
According to him, the governor has reached out to all of them for reconciliation.
He cited a meeting between Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his campaign Director-General, Barr. Osarodion Ogie and Dr. Odubu where they tried to pacify him to work with the candidate.
Mr. Okhiria further said that following the meeting in Abuja on Thursday, other aspirants, apart from Dr. Ogiemwonyi and Mr. Kenneth Imasuangbon agreed to work with Obaseki.
When contacted for comment, the Odubu campaign agreed that Obaseki and Ogie met with the Deputy governor, but dismissed as false, the notion that he has agreed to work with Obaseki, insisting that they have not made any decision in that direction.
As at press time, Alltimepost.com could not reach other aspirants for comments.
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