‘You tried to impose a candidate’ — Fayemi hits Oshiomhole over Edo APC guber primary

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, has criticised Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly attempting to impose a gubernatorial candidate on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo.

Fayemi accused Oshiomhole, a senator and former national chairman of the party, of playing a “disruptive” role during the February 17, 2024, governorship primary election in the state.

THE CONTROVERSY

Last Saturday, the APC organised primary elections in Edo, ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.

Three governorship aspirants were declared winners of the primary election by three different umpires.

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the house of representatives, as the winner of the election.

However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the house of representatives, as the winner of the primary.

In another twist of events, Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo central, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.

Before the election, no less than three aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC candidate in the 2020 governorship election.

On Tuesday, the national leadership of the APC declared that the primary election was inconclusive.

The party fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, as the new date for the completion of the primary election process.

The party appointed Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River state, as the chairman of the primary election committee.

On Wednesday, Oshiomhole paid President Bola Tinubu a visit at the presidential villa over the Edo primary election.

The senator said the president expressed his commitment to a free and fair primary and that he is not in support of zoning the party’s ticket.

FAYEMI’S CRITICISM

In a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, his media aide, Fayemi, on Thursday, said Oshiomhole ousted Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, from the party during the buildup to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.

The former Ekiti governor said Oshiomhole should have ensured a level playing field for all aspirants in 2024 instead of trying to impose a candidate.

“Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo state by the APC,” Fayemi said.

“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo state because of his unconscionable behaviour.

“However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.

“We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.

“Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules.

“My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.’’

Fayemi commended the national leadership of the APC for rescheduling the primary election.