Oshiomhole remains suspended from Edo APC until he apologises, Obaseki insists

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the suspension of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, still stands until he apologises to the party.

He said this during an expanded meeting with APC leaders from all the wards and local government areas in Edo North at Jattu-Uzaire in Etsako West Council Area of the state.

Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, state APC Chairman, Anselm Ojezua, members of the state executive council, as well as delegates and leaders at wards, councils, state and national levels attended the meeting.

Governor Obaseki said the party followed due process in the suspension of Oshiomhole and that any action taken by him (Oshiomhole) remained ultra vires.

Obaseki stated that Oshiomhole could only be welcome back to the party when he apologises, insisting that he could not take any action on behalf of the APC because he was validly suspended from his ward.

“Can you imagine a national chairman that is creating problems in his own house? Because of that, we had to suspend him and he remains suspended. We pray that God should have mercy on him because he has done something bad against God and the people of Edo State. He should find his way back into the party and apologise to all.

“If he comes back remorseful and apologetic, we will consider taking him back.”

The governor dismissed insinuations by his political opponents that he was leaving the APC, noting that only those persons involved in anti-party activities that would leave.

“If you cannot be a disciplined member of the party, you will leave, whether you are a national chairman or not,” he stated.

He said Oshiomhole lied about nominating only one commissioner in his cabinet, adding, “He cancelled the primaries that were done by the party at the state level for the 2019 general elections and did his own. Because he could not control us at the executive, he manipulated the legislature so that he can use the House of Assembly to impeach us.”

The governor said he sympathises with the deputy governor who was deceived by Oshiomhole, a man who he had always looked up to in politics, describing his deputy as a trusted friend and strong politician.

“Oshiomhole thought he was setting a trap when he chose Philip Shaibu as my deputy and Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He thought we will always quarrel, fight and then run to him for settlement.”

Obaseki maintained that the party and its members do not support godfather syndrome in the state, adding, “If you behave like a godfather, we will fight you.”