By DADA AYOKHAI
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State’s statement in which he was quoted as saying that Nigeria may divide if the APC wins the 2023 general elections, has drawn harsh reactions, from the main opposition party in the state.
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, berated Gov Obaseki for what the party considered as “unguided and intellectually bereft” remarks, adding such inciteful statements ought not to come out of the mouth of someone like him, given the exalted position he occupies.
Gov Obaseki, while swearing in members of the state PDP Campaign Management Council, in Benin, the Edo State capital, stated that the country may likely disintegrate if the ruling APC wins the 2023 general elections.
In its reaction, which is contained in the press release by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Bar Peter Enoserogbe Uwadie, the party chastised Gov Obaseki for trying to sew seeds of discord in the hearts of the peace-loving people of the state, adding such extreme views, especially coming from the chief executive of a state, smacks of hate speech and warned he should henceforth desist from stoking the embers of conflict.
Governor Obaseki who was formerly of the APC before defecting to the PDP, campaigned vigorously for the Party three years ago both at the State and Federal level, eulogizing the positive impacts of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Lagos political template,
Describing the Governor’s outburst as treasonable, the APC say he is known for his poor knowledge of the tenets of democratic tendencies and practices; underlined by his wobbling governance in Edo State.
“Obaseki’s outburst that Nigeria will break if the APC Presidential candidate: Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins the election in 2023, is the most unguided and intellectually bereft statement to have come from any person, sitting in the corridor of governance in a democratic nation like Nigeria.
“What temerity and audacity does Governor Godwin Obaseki possesses to speak of a man who transformed and gave Lagos a road map to economic and political prosperity in the comity of States, despite the proclivity and inclinations of the Olusegun Obasanjo led PDP Federal Government?
“Obaseki by his statement, has invoked a dire need for a political and legal examination of all the non democratic policies, he has foisted on Edo people.
“From the ceaseless borrowing without any corresponding effect on the economy of the State; to the monumental destruction of known legacies of Edo State.”
The Party wonder therefore; why the Governor has “summersaulted into political misfit and barrenness, preaching divisiveness; a treasonable act with perilous consequences to a sovereign nation like Nigeria.”
Having read Classics; the Governor does not possess the educational capacity to appreciate the economic variables; that determine the strength of any country’s currency in the competitive global market, APC argued.
“Let Obaseki be told that the bargaining strength of the nation in the global market, is not only measured by the printing of the currency as he claimed, but a combination of other basic economic factors prevailing globally.”
The Party pointed out, hence advanced Nations of the world like the United Kingdom, are not absolved of the prevailing global economic crisis with Nigeria’s case not peculiar.
Just like world leaders aspiring to the position of authority reassured of better days, same way, “Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu is exuding the unparelled confidence that when elected as President, he shall steer the ship to the shores of economic sufficiency and progress.
Continuing, the Party asserts that the legacies of its Presidential candidate in Lagos, makes hollow Obaseki’s statement in a multi party democracy of contestation; under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of rancour and frivolities.
It adds, that the Governor’s outburst has only helped to further de – market his troubled People Democratic Party (PDP) amongst the people, in Edo State.
“As they are better enlightened and have unending regards for a united and indivisible Nigeria.”
The APC consequently called on the Federal Government to beam its security search light on Governor Obaseki and his Party: (PDP) “as there is the great tendency for them to cause havoc before, during, and after the election.”
