Abel Ejikeme
Re-elected Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said he has no plans of replacing a former national chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, as the new godfather of Edo State politics.
The governor stated this in a chat he had with state house correspondents in Abuja shortly after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obaseki also said he will not be leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to return to the APC. He said he will lose his integrity if he does so.
The Edo State Governor dumped the APC for the PDP following his disqualification from the party’s gubernatorial primaries.
”The reason is simple, the godfather has no constitutional responsibility, the godfather acts outside the constitution and controls people who are constitutional players. So, if we allow that sort of situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule.
“When people who have nothing at stake, no checks and balances, just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution should be interpreted or constitutional players should operate, that’s why problems come in.
”God forbid I become a godfather, I should be dealt with accordingly because it’s dangerous to the concept of democracy.
”Gleaning from the comments of Mr. President, he said that he wants to leave a democracy that is built on integrity, accountability, and hard work. Those were his words and I subscribe totally to that. It will not show integrity; it will not demonstrate somebody that has an ethical or moral foundation to do what you asked about. I couldn’t have contested in one party, won at that party, and then consider moving to another party. It is not the kind of thing to do, it’s not the right thing to do and I am sure you will not encourage me to do that,” Obaseki said.
Meanwhile, at the meeting held in the council chambers, President Buhari told the delegation from Edo State that his single desire is to make ensure innocent Nigerians don’t suffer regardless of party affiliation.
Buhari said despite the losses being suffered by the APC in recent times, he hopes to leave behind a political culture based on integrity.
The President said he had instructed the Inspector General of Police to make sure the Edo election was free and fair and to ensure innocent citizens do not suffer.