The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has announced that it lost the governorship election in the state held on Saturday, 19th September 2020 because of the “needless” crisis foisted on the party by Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the ruling party.
The party said this while congratulating Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, for his victory at the poll in a statement on Tuesday.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Obaseki, polled 307,955 votes to defeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC, who secured 223,619 votes.
The governor was earlier disqualified from contesting the APC primary election after he fell out with Oshiomhole. Both men were at loggerheads for months over issues concerning Edo. With his chances upended in the APC, Obaseki sought accommodation in the opposition PDP.
Anslem Ojezua, chairman of Edo APC, blamed “arrogant and irresponsible leadership” for the crisis that caused the party’s loss at the poll. While congratulating Obaseki on his win, Ojezua said steps should be taken to “salvage the well being of our party in the state”.
“We join President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Caretaker Committee of our great Party to congratulate Governor Godwin Obasekl and his Deputy Rt. Hon. Philip Shalbu for their victory at the just concluded Governorship election in Edo state,” the chairman said.
“The election has been generally acclaimed to be peaceful, orderly and transparent. The people of Edo State have made their choice In a very clear and unambiguous manner.
“Our loss at the poll stems from the needles and avoidable crisis foisted on the party by a selfish, insensitive, arrogant and irresponsible leadership.
“While we begin to take steps to try and salvage the well being of our party in the state, we call on the governor to be magnanimous in victory while we urge all those who contested to sheathe their swords and put the elections behind us.
“We must all and close ranks with the government in order to ensure a seamless transition to the final lap of governance in the State without being subjected to any further needless distraction and rancour.
“The establishment of a robust infrastructural base to guarantee economic growth at this critical time must be the paramount consideration and in the best interest of the good people of Edo state.”
Obaseki had earlier dedicated his victory to the Edo electorates insisting that their determination to send godfatherism in the state saw to his triumph at the poll.
