Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Oyegun, on Thursday described the current crisis rocking his party in Edo, as “tragic and unfortunate.”
Oyegun said that the rift between Gov. Godwin Obaseki and APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, brought to fore the dangers of godfatherism in the nation’s politics.
Oyegun, who was first Executive Governor of Edo, spoke with newsmen on the sideline of the 22nd investiture of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in Lagos.
“When principles are involved in an argument, it is very hard to wade in, especially expecting that one party surrenders principle to another.
“It is a good thing to mentor somebody, to have an elder, more experienced to help bring up the younger one.
“But when you have mentored him, and he has attained maturity and growth, do not keep treating him like a child,” Oyegun said.
He, however, revealed that efforts were ongoing to address the matter and bring peace to the party’s affairs of the state.
Oyegun lauded the performance of the state governor and reiterated his support for the great stride the state was recording.
On Thursday, 15 people were injured during a clash between supporters of Oshiomhole and those of the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The clashes in Benin City on Thursday was ahead of a rally expected to hold today (Friday) by a faction of the APC loyal to Oshiomhole.
The Oshiomhole faction are expected to hold a rally to receive a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo, Mr. Osagie Eze-Iyamu.
But the governor and the APC factional chairman in the state, Mr Anselm Ojezua, has said they were not aware of the purported declaration rally.
