35 Political Parties in Edo state have expressed support for incumbent, Governor Godwin Obaseki in the upcoming September governorship election in the State.
The political parties including Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord Party (AP) and KOWA spoke through a representative, Collins Oreruan who promised that the party structures will be used to help Obaseki with his re-election bid.
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He reiterated that the parties which also include those de-registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will mobilize their members across the state to support Obaseki.
“We have resolved to advise our governorship candidates to withdraw and join hands with Governor Obaseki to build on the growth, developmental legacies achieved in his first term in office.
“We shall synergise with PDP to mobilise the voters at the grassroots on the reasons why Governor Godwin Obaseki should be returned.
“The governor’s legacies include positive economic development, the industrial revolution, workers’ welfare, security architecture, comprehensive and qualitative educational programmes, development of agricultural value chains, friendly taxes, levies and rates, regime amongst others.
“Our grassroots campaigns shall be issues-based, highlighting the visible projects and programmes of Governor Obaseki, which are devoid of lies, false propaganda, insults and character assassination.
The Statement concluded.
Reacting the the news however, the All Progressives Congress (APC), media campaign council accused the executives of the parties of having being paid by Obaseki.
According to Mr. John Mayaki, chairman of the Council, the parties have sold out and destroyed their chances of growth in the state by expressing support for Obaseki.
These parties, which ordinarily ought to present themselves to the people of Edo State as viable alternatives to building the necessary followership required for future relevance, have decided to instead cash in on the greed of their leaders and offer their platforms in exchange for an initial down payment of N5m each, and an additional promise of N65m to support a governor widely rejected in his state for his non-performance.
“With this act of betrayal and greed, it is safe to say that these parties have successfully and irrevocably done damage to their integrity and placed a final barrier to any potential for growth and relevance in Edo State.
“It is shameful, and unfortunate, how these persons negotiate with platforms that should contest with the major parties and force through policy changes if at all they cannot, by themselves, form the government in the interim,” he said.
Federal government to ensure free and fair elections to avoid crises. And not the stage managed gubernatorial type at Oshun.