APC does not belong to Oshiomhole, says Obaseki

Call Edo gov to order, assembly members-elect tell Buhari, Tinubu
Monarch urges traditional rulers to shun partisanship

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday cautioned leaders and members of the proscribed Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) to desist from activities and statements capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the state.

He specifically warned former Governor Adams Oshiomhole to desist from what he described as provocative activities or he may be forced to invoke his powers to deal with him.

“We are warning the suspended national chairman that if he continues with his activities, I will show him that I am the governor of the state. When he was governor, he would not have tolerated the misbehavior he is exhibiting today.

“I have decided that if Oshiomhole comes to the state to disrupt activities of the party, we will deal with him. He stands suspended and in due course we will take appropriate action to expel him if he doesn’t behave well.

“The party does not belong to him (Oshiomhole), it belongs to all of us. It is the members that make the party supreme and not one individual,” he said.

Obaseki disclosed this at a meeting with chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 18 council areas of the state.

The governor said anti-party activities carried out either by Oshiomhole or his allies in the EPM would be dealt with.

Speaking, Chairman of APC in the state, Anselm Ojezua, said Governor Obaseki remained the people’s choice in the Edo 2020 governorship election.

He commended the governor and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu for supporting the party in terms of resources and spending time with members, noting that the gesture was unprecedented.

Convener of the meeting and Chairman of the Edo APC local government chairmen, Ben Oghumu, said the forum was organised to commend Obaseki for his support for members at different party levels.

Besides, aggrieved members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja yesterday with a call on President Muhammadu Buhari and National Leader of the APC to call Obaseki to order.

Spokesperson for the group who was former Speaker of the House, Victor Tiger Edoroh, who addressed reporters in Abuja said it behooved on the duo to intervene avert the violence allegedly being orchestrated by Obaseki.

Meanwhile, the Onojie of Igueben Kingdom, HRH Ehizojie Eluojeror I, urged traditional rulers not to eschew partisan politics in the state just as he tasked them to be more committed and focused in developing their various communities at the grassroots.