Following months of bitter feud between them, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole finds an avenue to mend fences with his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, asking others to do same in the interest of their party, the All Progressives Congress
By Oladipo Airenakho
Benin City – Thirteen days after the controversial Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, publicly said on Wednesday that he was renewing friendship with his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu.
The governor disclosed this in a meeting with party leaders and supporters from the three senatorial districts of the state where, he described Odubu as a brother in progress and emphasized that the party must be united to win the September 10, 2016 polls in the state.
He thanked the people for their support in his almost eight years as governor, urging all to imbibe the spirit of oneness as, according to him, it is democratic for a candidate to emerge out of many in any primary election.
Oshiomhole, who had been accused by other aspirants of meddling in the nomination exercise to tip the scale of victory in favour of his preferred candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, affirmed that the party would continue to work hard not only to retain power in the state, but to sustain the wheel of development, add value and improve the quality of lives of the people.
He appealed to leaders of the party to start up a reconciliation process that would settle quarrels among party members, noting that the electioneering period is full of deceit, “politicking and politricking.”
His words: “Let me appreciate my younger brother with whom I have entrusted power not because we were the best but because God chose to use you to give us that favour.
“That is Pius Egberamwen Odubu, the Deputy Governor of Edo state. It doesn’t matter how the result went, I want to publicly appreciate him and I assure him I regard him as a brother.
“What is important is the process because we know that no matter what, one person will emerge, therefore it is the process that brought that person that we will celebrate.”
“For our leaders, this is the time you have to settle small quarrels, politicking and politricking always create a little bit of irritation but leaders know how to settle them.
“No more rumours about who had meeting last night so please help us to reunite, reconcile and rebuild internal coercion and resort old friendship, old alliances.
“I am renewing my own with my deputy governor. I ask you to do the same; it is one party, one destination”. He said.
Present at the event were: Mr Godwin Obaseki; State APC Chairman, Anslem Ojezua; Edo South Vice Chairman, Mogaji Chatton; the senatorial Vice Chairman, Gentleman Amegor, Vice Chairman Edo Central, Chief Okoror; Secretary of the State APC, Chief Osaro Idah; APC state Woman leader, Dr Aisosa Amadasun; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief Lucky Imasuen; Prof Julius Ihonvbere, House of Assembly members, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ativie; Commissioners, Serving and past members of the National Assembly.
Oshiomhole must do more than a mere apology in front of party leaders to placate his deputy. They were supposed to be best friends before the primary not after.