Edo 2016: APC splits over Obaseki's deputy

Leaders of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC) in Edo central and north sena­torial districts are in a political duel over who will produce the running mate to the party’s candi­date, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the September 10 gov­ernorship election in the state. 

It was gathered yester­day that the Esan leaders of the APC are not happy with the choice of Hon Philip Shuaibu presented by Governor Adams Os­hiomhole, alleging that they have been marginal­ized in the zoning of the state. 

It was learnt that there are plans to reinstate Hon Victor Edoror as Speaker of the State House of As­sembly as a bait to make Shuaibu who is member representing Etsako West federal constituency in the House of Represen­tatives Obaseki’s deputy. It was alleged that the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elizabeth Ative has been offered N30 million to resign her position. 

A source in Esan land who spoke yesterday to our correspondent under anonymity said promi­nent leaders in Esan land have vowed to work against the party should they fail to zone the dep­uty governorship slot to Edo central whether the speaker is leaving or not. 

He added that the People’s Democratic Par­ty (PDP) in the state is waiting anxiously for the APC to make the griev­ous mistake so that it can capitalize on it to win the governorship election just as he noted that the PDP’s deputy is capable of win­ning the entire Esan land for his party. 

According to him, “the race is going to be difficult if the APC doesn’t give us the deputy governor’s slot. I was in a meeting last week when our leaders were saying they would boycott the election if one person from this place is not made running mate to Godwin Obaseki.