The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend Governor Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of leading the party towards political obscurity while allegedly aiding another party in strengthening its structure.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, the Publicity Director of the Senator Monday Okpebholo Governorship Campaign Council, the APC claimed that key stakeholders within the PDP have deserted the party due to Obaseki’s actions. Omo-Ojo asserted that it is only a matter of time before the PDP fully realizes the extent of the governor’s impact on the party.
This statement was made in response to the alleged calls for the immediate past Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, to resign from the PDP over his public support for the APC gubernatorial candidate.
The APC further urged the PDP to also expel Obaseki and the party’s running mate, Osarodion Ogie, accusing them of misusing state resources to build a structure for the Labour Party in Edo State. “The PDP should first suspend His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, and the party’s running mate, Osarodion Ogie, for spending the state’s resources to build a structure for the Labour Party in Edo State before the last general election and during the LP’s primary elections which they funded,” Omo-Ojo stated.
The APC’s statement highlighted the alleged exodus of politically relevant figures from the PDP, suggesting that those remaining are merely awaiting the party’s demise. “Virtually everyone with political relevance has left, and those remaining are only lying in wait as undertakers to bury them,” he added.
In addition, Omo-Ojo described Philip Shaibu as a symbol of political strength and a local hero, drawing a parallel with Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is also seeking the APC nomination.
The APC spokesperson advised the PDP to focus on explaining what new contributions their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate intend to bring, given their long tenure without significant development in the state. “The only sane thing left for the PDP is to join Obaseki and Ighodalo on a pleading tour of the state and beg for forgiveness,” Omo-Ojo suggested, referencing a recent scandal involving leaked examination papers in the state.