Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has accused the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole of trying to cause the All Progressives Congress, APC, loss at the upcoming governorship election in the state.
Fayemi accused Oshiomhole of trying to impose governorship aspirants during APC’s cancelled primaries rather than ensuring a level playing field.
In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Ahmad Sajoh, the former governor alleged that Oshiomhole was instrumental in ousting Governor Godwin Obaseki during the buildup to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.
Fayemi said, “Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo State by the APC.
“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo State because of his unconscionable behaviour.
“However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.
“We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.
“Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the rules.
“My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.”
The cancelled primary election in Edo State had produced three parallel winners.
The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Dennis Idahosa the winner of the election.
But, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing the Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, as the winner of the primary.
On Monday, the event took another turn as Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo Central, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.
The controversy led to the APC declaring the primary election in the state as inconclusive.
APC also fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, for the completion of the primary election process while Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State was named as the chairman of the primary election committee.
Edo Election: Oshiomhole preparing ground for APC to lose again – Fayemi alleges
