- Obaseki Reacts :I ‘ll Win If Election…
With just fifty days to the September 19 Edo state governorship polls, the political intrigues and jostling have escalated as majority of the Councilors in Oredo Local government area of Edo state have started campaigning and mobilizing support for the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Interestingly, Oredo Local government Area is the local government of the incumbent governor, Governro Godwin Obaseki. This latest political development in the Oredo LGA has altered the political calculations in the area fuelling much political intrigues and horse-trading among the political actors.
Checks by The New Diplomat show that as at last count seven out of the twelve elected local government Councilors in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, including that of Governor Obaseki’s own Ward, have commenced campaign for Pastor Ize-Iyamu following their declaration of support for his candidature in the upcoming September 19, governorship election in Edo state. According to them, they will deliver Oredo LGA massively for the APC governorship candidate during the polls.
Among those who had declared support for the APC governorship candidate are Hon. Collins Eweka of Ward 12; Mr. Smart Ehioze of Ward 03; Mr. Geofrrey Enabulele of Ward 08; Mr. Bright Aisien of Ward 04; Mr. Omoregbe Samuel of Ward 07; Mr. Efosa Ogiame of Ward 11; and Mr. Reliance Okugbowa of Ward 09.
Recall that they had met with the APC candidate and other leaders of the APC in Benin city, the Edo state capital a few days back with a firm promise to “deliver Oredo LGA to the APC in the governorship elections on September 19.”
The Councilor of Ward 04 where Obaseki is recorded as a registered voter declared that as an elected local lawmaker on the platform of the APC, his loyalty, and that of others in Oredo LGA, remains with the party, adding that they will ensure that Pastor Ize-Iyamu emerges victorious at the polls come September 19.
This is coming on the heels of statement credited to Governor Obaseki to the effect that he would win the governorship elections if the polls were held today. He also debunked claims that he is politically weak, stressing that he believes in applying his political power responsibly.
He said: “ I am not weak as a governor but I believe in respecting human rights. If we have lection today in the state, PDP will win by 75%.”
