Edo 2020: Obaseki Expresses Doubt Over APC Screening Process

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has expressed doubt in the screening committee set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to scrutinise aspirants seeking the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Speaking after the screening at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, Obaseki said he is unsure of getting justice because the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole refused to yield to his call to recuse himself from the process.

“The last time I came here, I asked that Oshiomhole recuse himself from the process in the interest of peace and justice. But as a party man, I have to go through the screening like everybody else,” he said.

“Since he is the judge and the jury in this matter, I will just wait for the outcome of the screening. I have given them all the information they need; the controversial certificate from the University of Ibadan has been tendered.

“Like I said, as a party man I had to go through the screening process but I do not believe that I will get justice because Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is an interested party in the Edo process.

“One of the questions asked was why did I issue a gazette that will prevent the party from performing direct elections in Edo. That did I not see it as an anti-party activity?”

The governor and the APC national chairman have refused to mend fences as their rivalry continues to stretch the party into two opposing camps, with one loyal to Obaseki and the other, Oshiomhole.

The former governor is believed to be backing Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC to contest against Obaseki for the party’s ticket.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has however chosen direct primary to select its candidate for the governorship election on Monday June 22; the preferred mode of the national chairman and the National Working Committee of the party, much to the displeasure of the governor.

Obaseki has threatened to disallow direct primary in the state, noting that it is unsafe given the ravaging coronavirus pandemic in the country.