Comrade Efe Stewart being formally inaugurated back to the APC by the party chairman, Imuse
* Harvests Obaseki’s two former Commissioners, followers, LP members
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Ahead of the Governorship election next year in Edo State, the leading opposition Party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun plotting its way back to the Osadebay Avenue; the seat of power it lost in 2020 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As it harvested two former Commissioners of Governor Godwin Obaseki and multitude of their followers from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Also, many of the Labour Party (LP) faithful and others.
Leading the harvest of returnees to the APC, was former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Efe Stewart who helped delivered Egor Local Government Council Area for the PDP, in the Governorship election of 2020.
Other decampees included another former Commissioner in the Obaseki’s administration, Andrew Enwanta, a former aide to the Governor, Edo Aguebor, former women Leader, madam Atairu and followers.
The event held in Benin on Friday, 29 October, 2023 at a Conference tagged ‘Edo 2024: A Must Win for APC’ and powered by the Pius Alile Coalition Initiative.
Addressing the gathering, President and founder of the Coalition, Pius Alile reflected on the performance of the Governor Obaseki’s led PDP administration; concluding it was a failure and far from delivering the true dividends of democracy, to the people of the State.
He asserts come 2024, the APC presents the much desired alternative as “the celebrated administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole provided the Party, a benchmark to be proud of.”
Alile lambasting Obaseki and his PDP administration, stated: “Under the PDP Government, Edo State is in a nightmare that we must help break out from.”
He noted that the administration is tainted with unfilled promises many of which exists; only in the imagination of the Governor and cohorts.
“The Government continues to circulate computer generated images as renovated schools with false narratives, in the social media to deceive the people.
“The reality is that many public schools are in pitiable conditions.
“They then came up with the grand delusion of Edobest in education. Sadly, their best is the worst that we have had in this State.”
Alile further tackled the Governor for abandoning the ambitious water storm project of the Adams Oshiomhole administration, also the negative economic climate in the State which he noted, is due to the lack of deployment of proactive policies.
Even though he emerged the first time via the benevolence of Oshiomhole, he continued.
“The people are in dire need of of help, and the APC must come to their rescue by winning the Governorship election and providing purposeful governance.”
Both former member and majority whip, House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie, and Edoba Omoregie; a Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law and Governance delivered lecture on the theme of the Conference.
Osagie pointing out factors that had militated against the success of the APC in Edo especially, in the South zone, outlined actions expected of the Party to be able to regain relevance and reclaim the State next year.
Beyond the fantasy of reclaiming the State next year, “lies the incredible task of fielding the right candidate, adopting an all inclusive party and election management strategy amongst many others”, Osagie advised.
Like Osagie, Prof. Edoba dwelt on the need of the APC to seriously do SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of its chances against other contending political Parties.
He pointed out that “there is no guarantee of victory for any of the political parties as the State fits into the description of a battle ground, where anything can happen.
“This is even more so, with the entry of a third force political Party.”
Alile, Osagie and Edoba unanimously advised that the APC leadership must conduct free, fair and transparent primary; and Congress as the foundation to the victory, it seeks.
Senator Oshiomhole represented by his former deputy Governor, Pius Odubu received the decampees.
Welcoming them to the APC fold, he encouraged they should feel comfortable as there is no new and old member in the Party.
In the APC, the principle of equality reigns as everyone has the task to work hard, for the success of the Party next year, he stated.
Also in attendance, was the national women Leader of the Party, Mrs. Mary Alile who incidentally, is a native of Edo and shares the burden of delivering the State for her Party next year.
As Senator Monday Okpebholo (Akpakomiza) representing the Edo Central senatorial zone at the national Assembly, was also in attendance.
A large crowd of Party members and supporters, graced the occasion.
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