By DADA AYOKHAI
The former comrade governor, Comrade Aliyu Adams Oshiomhole, rekindled the intense rivalry between the two dominant political parties in Edo North district, the APC and the PDP, in the penultimate week, as he aimed straight at the jugular of his successor, Mr. Goodwin Obaseki, describing his performance so far in office as “colourless and departing from the original plan”.
The combative former APC national chairman who also doubles as the deputy DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council was in Owan East LGA in continuation of his drive to secure bloc support for his Edo North senatorial bid.
The fiery former labour leader took a dirge at his successor and accused him of taking the state back to the terrible old days of the PDP which was characterized by stagnation, poor performance, and the failure to deliver on promises.
According to Oshiomhole, his successor, Governor Obaseki refused to build on the foundation laid by him, adding that many of the people-oriented projects initiated by his administration have been abandoned thereby taking the state back to the old days of the PDP when the state was left prostrate
He expressed hope that the 4 plus 4 symbol, a political code adopted by the incumbent while seeking reelection, would soon lapse and give room to another government.
A visibly angry Comrade Oshiomhole said, “My successor abandoned all of the good work we did and took Edo State back to the days of the PDP. Nonetheless, we cannot keep sulking because the 4 + 4 is not forever. Edo State will someday get it right again”
The high point of the Oshiomhole campaign trail in the Owan East was the harvesting of PDP members who defected to the APC. They vowed to work for the success of the APC at the polls, accusing the Obaseki administration of sidelining them after the last governorship election.
APC stalwarts present at the Owan East senatorial rally included the APC Edo North Campaign DG, Hon Abdul Lawan; the former Etsako West council chairman, Hon Gani Audu; and Hon Jarret Tenebe.
Others were Bar. Okaka; ace musician, Waziri Oshomah; Comrade Oshiomole’s younger brother, Hon Seidu Oshiomole; and Hon Ernest Aitalegbe.
