All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Screening Committee’s disqualification of Edo State incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has continued to generate reactions, with a call by some civil society groups for an end to godfatherism in the state.
Today, a coalition of civil society groups in Edo under the aegis of Edo Civil Society Coalition for Peace and Development led a ‘Peace Walk’ in Benin to promote peace and campaign for an end to godfatherism in the state.
The groups further expressed worry over the rising political tension in the state, noting their displeasure with the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Screening Committee exercise which disqualified the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Comrade Batholomew Okoudo, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, frowned at the political crisis and fisticuffs among the ruling party’s stakeholders, calling for peace and unity in Edo State.
Okoudo, who condemned the party’s decision for a direct primary called for an end to godfatherism in the state, saying that the life of Edo people is more important than the selfish ambition of any politician.
“Those in positions of authority must ensure that the interests of the people are considered. Those in charge of the primary should be peaceful rather than hijacking the situation and process, putting the lives of all Edo people in danger.”
The All Progressive Congress (APC) screening committee, headed by Professor Jonathan Ayuba disqualified the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and two others from participating in the Edo governorship primary election.
Ayuba listed Hon. Osaro Obazee, and Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi as other aspirants disqualified by the committee.
Obaseki, according to the screening committee was disqualified on the grounds that his High School Certificate (HSC) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates are defective.
Supporters of the governor and many political watchers in the state believe that the decision of the committee was influenced by the National Chairman of the Party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with whom Obaseki has been engaged in serious political duel for a long time now.
Prior to the exercise, Obaseki and his supporters had lost trust in the neutrality of the screening committee, supervised by Oshiomhole.
This was well registered last Wednesday by Obaseki when he departed the APC gubernatorial screening room in Abuja, expressing misgivings at the operations of the committee, saying with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole dictating affairs of the party, he cannot get justice.
Obaseki had also asked that Oshiomhole recuse himself from the process in the interest of peace and justice. “But as a party man, I have had to go through the screening like everybody else.
“Since he is the judge and the jury in this matter, I will just wait for the outcome of the screening. I have given them all the information they need; the controversial certificate from the University of Ibadan has been tendered,” Obaseki had said.
The screening is coming ahead of APC June 22 governorship primary election in Edo state.
