Edo election: Drama as Obidient group rejects Peter Obi’s candidate, Akpata, mobilises support for Ighodalo

A Political group, under the aegis of Obidients United For Equity, Justice, and Fairness has accused Mr Peter Obi for unilaterally adopting Olumide Akpata as standard bearer of Labour Party thereby jettison the principles of internal democracy.

In a press release made available to our correspondent in Lokoja, the group’s leader, Blessing Edobor, faulted Peter Obi’s choice whom she alleged to be a cousin to Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, reports Daily Trust.

According to the statement, “All over the world politics comes with certain incontrovertible demands and such demands are more strident in democracies. There are demands for Competency, Capacity, Commitment to the common good, Credibility and Character, and there are those of Justice, Equity, Fairness and Inclusiveness.

“In Peter Obi’s 2022/2023 Presidential Campaign Council, there was a reflection of balance on account of Religion.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges the Federal Character principles. For the reflection of Justice, Equity, Fairness and Inclusiveness in his Campaign Council, Peter Obi chose someone from the South West as Campaign DG, Doyin Okupe.who was enmeshed in controversies, Obi did not elevate the deputy director, Eseloke Obaze, but insisted on another Yoruba man Dr Akin Oshotokun as his replacement.

“But for Partisanship, such deep values that work for balance means nothing anymore to Peter Gregory Obi.

“When he wanted to appoint a lead spokesperson for his campaign, he had better orators and proficient Speakers in Kenneth Okonkwo and Dele Farotinmi, but he chose Dr. Yunusa Tanko because he wanted a reflection of Religion , sense of balance and inclusion. What he considered right for his campaign then ,he doesn’t consider right for Edo State.

“Peter Obi’s candidacy was endorsed by the South South Forum PANDEF, it was endorsed by Afenifere, it was endorsed by The Middle Belt Forum, and by Ohanaeze all on the call for Justice, Equity, Fairness and Inclusion. He cannot deny that. Why does he not think that Edo Central deserves Equity, Justice and Fairness? Why does Partisanship blind him to the call of the Edo People for Justice, Equity and Fairness?

“He has been moving from podiums to platforms in Edo State showcasing values that made him popular in 2022/2023 which was the call for Justice, Equity and Fairness. yes those were the lead issues that got him huge endorsements. He didn’t query the Labour Party when the Party allowed the manipulation of the LP Primaries by Olumide Akpata and Julius Abure against the Candidates from Edo Central.

“Even when the APC corrected the same error by organising a fresh Primaries to replace the Edo South Candidate they had earlier chosen with a Candidate from Edo Central. Peter Obi looked the other way, for his personal ambition against Truth, Justice, Equity Fairness and Inclusiveness

“Peter Obi would ask for no fresh Primaries to replace a candidate of division and exclusion because his ambition matters more to him than the call for Equity, Fairness, Justice and Inclusion in Edo State. He hid behind ‘Olumide Akpata is the Candidate of my Party’ to mock the same reason he left the PDP to the Labour Party.

“Peter Obi left the PDP when it became obvious that Atiku Abubakar was going to win the PDP Primaries, and he along with his supporters in the PDP thought that it was only fair for Power to shift to the South after Buhari’s 8 years, how come it doesn’t matter to him that after 8 years of Godwin Obaseki, Olumide Akpata his Cousin from the same Edo South zone cannot and should not for the sake of Equity, Fairness and Justice be Governor.

“We must state very clearly that the principles for which we supported Peter Obi in the last election has been consistently betrayed by him. His ambition matters more than the great values we hold dear. Every sincere and genuine Obidient in Edo State believes that the next Governor of Edo State should come from the Edo Central Zone, and not only have we chosen to support Asue Ighodalo who is by far the best and the most competent candidate in the race, his candidacy guarantees Justice, Equity, Fairness and Inclusion.

“We urge our supporters to cast their votes on the 21st September 2024 for the candidate of PDP Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie,” the group demanded.