Benin City, Edo State – Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North at the National Assembly, made a condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, on Thursday. During his visit, Oshiomhole subtly conveyed his disapproval of the ongoing feud between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu concerning the 2024 governorship election ticket in Edo State. He emphatically stated that “there is no room for internal conflicts within the APC.”
Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, criticized deputy governors who find themselves at odds with their governors. He asserted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not be a suitable home for politicians who have disagreements with their superiors. His remarks seemed to highlight the importance of unity and cohesion within the party, indirectly addressing the current dispute between the Edo State governor and his deputy.
According to Oshiomhole, ” …What I read about somebody going to court to complain about being suspected of being impeached, I don’t know how courts adjudicate over suspicion.“But let me say this, to say that somebody wants to run to the APC, I want to say APC is not a rehabilitation centre. I can tell you that for free.
“We in APC are satisfied the way we are; we are happy in opposition and we are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say that there is no IDP camp in APC.“So, my advice is that those who are having challenges, should learn how to respect their bosses. I have always advised people that whoever you work with, be loyal.
“Regardless of party divide, it is my wish for Edo to be governed in peace and harmony because the supra party to which we all belong to is the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the political parties even the rate of camping and decamping and re-camping shows that the only thing that is constant is Nigeria and not the political parties.
“I was here and I was unable to support my deputy to succeed me, but my deputy never took me to court. And if there are people who always profit from crises, they cannot have my support.
“Regardless of what anybody will say, I come from only one of the clans in my local government, it will be nice if only my clan produce the governor but I know that Nigeria doesn’t work that way, there are those sentiments that people think that at this level of our development, the thing should go round.”
The visit took place in Benin City and provided Oshiomhole with a platform to express his concerns about the internal dynamics within the APC in Edo State. The situation has drawn attention as the 2024 governorship election approaches, and Oshiomhole’s words underscored the party’s stance on maintaining harmony among its members.