The Edo state gubernatorial election which was held precisely on the 19 of September 2020 witnessed the victorious emergence of the incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki of the People Democratic Party. ( PDP).
The number of violence threats, drama tension and uncertainties that transpired within rival political parties with particular emphasis on the APC and PDP, prior to the election, left lots of tongues wagging with the negative expectations that the elections wasn’t going to be free and fair.
The elections eventually came and was conducted peacefully with little or no form of violence and many Nigerians within and outside the country where amazed at the peaceful manner with which the elections were conducted and many international and local observers also attested to the fact that the nation had not witnessed such a peaceful and fair elections in a long while. This Incidence in fact aroused lots of positive accolades and commendations all over the globe as credit was given to Nigerian and Edolites in their sense and practice of democracy.
Recently however, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu who recently joined PDP, has engaged in a war of words over a pre-election matter in the court as Shiabu alleged that the former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had recently said that the Supreme Court would give his party victory like the case of Imo state. This has misunderstanding generated lots of controversies
Meanwhile in a recent statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chris Azebanmwan, he claimed that the allegation which he described as weighty was false and that Shaibu was trying to cause a negative stir and create a false impression and put up a negative campaign against Oshiomhole.
In his own words he disclosed that; “The statement which he credited to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is a blatant falsehood as no such words emanated from the elder statesman. It is a smear campaign that is aimed at tarnishing the pristine image of the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the vain hope it would pit the judiciary against the legal reliefs sought by the APC.
“I challenge Philip Shaibu to provide an audio or video clip of the occasion where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is alleged to have made such a statement. Instead of this puerile and infantile attempt at diverting attention from the substance of the matter in court which centers on forgery and perjury, Philip Shaibu is well advised to address his mind to shoring up their defence.
He went further to reveal that
“Philip Shaibu conveniently lost sight of the fact that the issue in contention borders on forgery and perjury. APC did not go to the Federal High Court to challenge the outcome of the September 2020 election.
“The Nigerian public is too informed and discerning to be hoodwinked with fake allegations and sensationalism. We totally agree with Philip Shaibu that the Nigerian judiciary ranks amongst the best and most diligent in the world and will not be swayed or distracted by antics such as being irresponsibly orchestrated by Philip Shaibu.”
Meanwhile, the Edo state deputy governor had through his Media aide, Benjamin Atu alleged that Oshiomhole was plotting to overturn Governor Godwin Obaseki’s victory at the September 2020 governorship election through the Judiciary.
Though he reaffirmed confidence in the judiciary and President Muhammadu Buhari to protect the nation’s democracy and the collective will of Edo people, Shaibu urged Edo people, especially the youths to take their destiny in their hands by securing Nigeria democracy and the political future of young people
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
