Why We Lost Edo Election – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has attributed the loss of the state gubernatorial election to the reckless and irresponsible leadership of former national chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole.

The Editor Nigeria reports that the party disclosed this while congratulating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Godwin Obaseki over their victory at the poll.

Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 307,955 votes to defeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC, who secured 223,619 votes.

The governor was disqualified from contesting the APC primary election after he became estranged with his erstwhile godfather, Oshiomhole. Both men were at loggerheads for months over political and economic control of Edo.

But Obaseki defected to the PDP where he ran for the office of governor and won.

Anslem Ojezua, chairman of Edo APC, said the party ost the governorship election because it was plunged into the “needless” Oshiomhole.

Though Ojezua did not mention Oshiomhole’s name in the statement, he blamed “arrogant and irresponsible leadership” for the crisis that caused the party’s loss at the poll.

The APC leadership in Edo had issues with Oshiomhole and that led to his removal as national chairman.

While congratulating Obaseki on his win, Ojezua said steps should be taken to “salvage the well being of our party in the state”.

“We join President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Caretaker Committee of our great Party to congratulate Governor Godwin Obasekl and his Deputy Rt. Hon. Philip Shalbu for their victory at the just concluded Governorship election in Edo state,” the chairman said.

“The election has been generally acclaimed to be peaceful, orderly and transparent. The people of Edo State have made their choice In a very clear and unambiguous manner.

“Our loss at the poll stems from the needles and avoidable crisis foisted on the party by a selfish, insensitive, arrogant and irresponsible leadership.

“While we begin to take steps to try and salvage the well being of our party in the state, we call on the governor to be magnanimous in victory while we urge all those who contested to sheathe their swords and put the elections behind us.

“We must all and close ranks with the government in order to ensure a seamless transition to the final lap of governance in the State without being subjected to any further needless distraction and rancour.

“The establishment of a robust infrastructural base to guarantee economic growth at this critical time must be the paramount consideration and in the best interest of the good people of Edo state.”