Edo Guber: APC, PDP trade words over heavyweights in 49-man campaign council

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

Published By: Admin

Hon. CARL UMEGBORO is a legal practitioner (Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and human rights activist. As an advocate of conflict resolution through ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), he has acquired intensive training and has been inducted into The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) as an Associate. He is a prolific writer and public affairs analyst. Prior to his call to Bar as a lawyer, he has been a veteran journalist and columnist in all national newspapers, and has over 250 published articles in various newspapers to his credit. Barrister Umegboro is also a regular guest-analyst to many TV and radio programme on crucial national issues. He can be reached through: (+234) 08023184542, (+234) 08173184542 OR Email: umegborocarl@gmail.com

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