APC guber aspirants’ urge transparency in Edo primaries

Ahead of the September 10 governorship poll in Edo State, aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have enjoined Governor Adams Oshiomhole to ensure transparency at the primaries, in line with the tenets of democracy.

The aspirants, Charles Airhiavbere, Chris Ogiemwonyi and Blessing Agbomhere, at different fora, urged the governor to put into practice his teachings which revolves around one man, one vote’ and no to ‘godfatherism.’

Airhiavbere, who contested the 2012 governorship in the elections, called on the national and state leadership of the party to ensure a level playing field for aspirants.

Calling for internal democracy in the party, Airhaivbere urged the party to ensure that all aspirants are allowed free and fair primaries to test their popularity.

Another front-runner, Ogiemwonyi, who pledged to consolidate on Oshiomhole’s achievements, called for a “crisis free primaries.”

They criticised Oshiomhole’s refusal to honour the fact-finding panel to the state, headed by Olagunsoye Oyilola.

Agbomhere enjoined Oshiomhole to borrow a leaf from the leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of the party’s flag bearer.

While Airhiavbere debunked insinuations in some quarters that he has bowed out from the race, Ogiemwonyi, declared his support for Oyinlola’s reconciliation team, describing it as meaningful for peaceful coexistence among aspirants and APC stakeholders in the state.

Agbomhere said the governor’s action was aimed at blackmailing the John Odigie-Oyegun led national leadership of the party, in a bid to impose his protégé, Godwin Obaseki on the people.