The Progressives Governors’ Forum, on Friday, accused a former National
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, of usurping
the campaign of the party’s candidate in the September 19 Edo State
governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The umbrella body of all
APC governors, in a statement titled ‘Progressive Politics – Which Way,
APC?’ by its Director General, Dr Salihu Lukeman, raised the alarm over
what it described as the diminishing electoral value of the All
Progressives Congress.
Lukeman expressed sadness that the
dissolution of the Adams Oshimohole-led National Working Committee of
the APC had not solved the party’s diminishing electoral viability.
On
the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states, the PGF DG said
efforts being made by Governor Rotimi Akerodolu to reconcile with
aggrieved party members and leaders in Ondo were commendable.
He,
however, added that the reverse seemed to be the case in Edo State,
saying, rather than reconciliation, “loud drums of war” had taken over
the airwaves in the state.
Lukeman stated, “Comrade Oshiomhole
has relocated to Edo State and taken over the APC campaign and the
campaign is proceeding in a manner that suggests the Edo State
governorship election is an extension of the personal battle between the
governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, and Oshiomhole.
“The APC campaign
is personalised around Comrade Oshiomhole and the candidate of the
party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is an onlooker. The soundbite from the
Edo APC campaign is so offensive to the point where Comrade Oshiomhole
appears to be disowning almost every APC (member) in Edo State between
2016 and now.
“To that extent, it simply means Comrade Oshiomhole
is disowning himself, which may be why he went on his knees begging the
Edo people for forgiveness.”
According to him, APC leaders need
to be reminded that the last leadership crisis was triggered by the deep
concerns around the diminishing electoral viability of the party.
What
is it that needs to be done to address the problem of diminishing
electoral viability of the APC? Do our leaders even agree that the APC
is faced with the problem of diminishing electoral viability?
“This
may be the problem, partly because, if our leaders are unable to
recognise that the APC is faced with the problem of diminishing
electoral viability, then there is a big problem,” he said.
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