IN preparation of the Edo Governorship election scheduled to hold on September 19, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assembled political heavyweights in the party from across the country to position the party to victory in the election.
APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, will contest against Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among candidates of other political parties on September 19.
Among the team are the suspended National chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, pioneer national chairman and former Edo governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; governors Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano; Hope Uzodinma, Imo; Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe; Yahaya Bello, Kogi; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos; Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy senate president; Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, chief whip of the senate, Pius Odubu and others into its National Campaign Council
Comrade Oshiomhole made the list following the withdrawal of the suit against him which led to his suspension, by the plaintiffs, Mustapha Salihu and five others.
When the matter came up for hearing as the parties were to return to the High Court of the FCT for determination of the substantive suit yesterday (Thursday), the plaintiff’s lawyer, Oluwola Afolabi moved a motion to withdraw the case.
Afolabi said the withdrawal was informed by the directive by leaders of the APC that all court cases be discontinued in the interest of peace.
Lawyer to Oshiomhole and one other, Ginika Ezeoke, said she was not opposed to the plaintiffs’ desire to withdraw the case. Ezeoke then urged the court to dismiss the suit.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had made a jest of the APC Campaign Committee asserting that the Edo electorates are solidly behind Gov. Obaseki and his new party, PDP and aggressively cautioned against subverting the wishes of the people through electoral malpractices during the election.
“With the people of Edo state on the side of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, the coast is already clear and any attempt by anybody to subvert the will of the people will surely be met very stiff resistance”, PDP stated on its Tweeter account.
In a reaction by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena on Friday, the ruling party chided PDP for what it described as ‘engaging in senseless and drunken tirade’.
“Ahead of the 19th September, 2020 Edo State Governorship election, PDP is up to their usual, diversionary, baseless and theatrical allegations.
“We understand the PDP is intimidated by the quality, depth and political sagacity of the APC National Campaign Council deployed by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee to organise a formidable campaign structure to ensure success of the APC and our candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu during the election.
“The APC has no interest in rolling in the mud with the PDP and engaging them in their senseless and drunken tirade.
“Edo state is not dubbed the Heartbeat of the Nation for nothing. The Edo electorate is sensible, sophisticated and progressive. The focus of the APC is to display to the Edo electorate our pro-people credentials, infrastructure/development track record, social investments, wealth creation initiatives among others which is being replicated across APC states. APC is a party that fiercely advocates, practices and defends the principle of “One person, one vote”. Come September 19 every valid vote must count.
“We urge PDP to concentrate on their deadbeat and empty campaign instead of the comic it has turned itself to. Edo is proudly an APC state”, Nabena stated.
The campaign council will be inaugurated on Monday, 6th July 2020 at the Party’s National Secretariat.
Members are;
1. H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Chairman
2. H.E. (Sen.) Hope Uzodinma – Deputy Chairman
3. Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege – Member
4. H.E. Inuwa Yahaya – Member
5. H.E. Alh. Yahaya Bello – Member
6. H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Member
7. H.E. (Chief) John Odigie-Oyegun – Member
8. H.E. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – Member
9. Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko – Member
10. H.E. Sen. Godswill Akpabio – Member
11. H.E. Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu – Member
12. H.E. Sen. Owelle Roachas Okorocha – Member
13. H.E. Timipre Sylva – Member 14.
H.E. Dr. Pius Odubu – Member
15. Sen. Degi Eremiemyo Biobaraku – Member
16. H.E. Prof. Oserheimen A. Osunbor – Member
17. H.E. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan -Member
18. Sen. John Owan Enoh – Member
19. Rt. Hon. E.J. Agbonayiman – Member
20. Engr. Babachir Lawal – Member
21. Prince B. B. Apugo – Member
22. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere – Member
23. Hon. Peter Akpatason – Member
24. Hon. Patrick Alsowleren – Member
25. Hon. Johnson Oghuma – Member
26. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – Member
27. Hon. Pally Iriase – Member
28. Hon. Dennis Idahosa – Member
29. Mrs. Rachel Akpabio – Member
30. Mr. Bolaji Afeez – Member
31. Engr. Gabriel Iduseri – Member
32. Chief Cairo Ojougboh – Member
33. Patrick Obahiagbon – Member
34. Chief Ayiri Emami – Member
35. Hon. Abubakar Adagu Suberu – Member
36. Usman Nahuche – Member
37. Engr. Chidi Orji – Member
38. Dr. Almajiri Giadam – Member
39. Sen. Sa’idu Umar Kumo – Member
40. Chief Pius Akinyelure – Member
41. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi – Member
42. Chief Solomon Edebiri – Member
43. Prof. Ebegue Amadasun – Member
44. Hon. Saturday Uwulekue – Member
45. Hon. Osaro Obaze – Member
46. Chief Samuel Ogbuku – Member
47. Miss. Rinsola Abiola – Member
48. Theresa Tekenel – Member
49. Hon. Abbas Braimoh – Member/Secretary