Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday said as the party leader of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC) in Edo State, he opposed the adoption of the direct primary method adopted by the party’s Na­tional Working Committee (NWC) because it might trigger the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The Edo State chapter of the APC and the national leadership of the party are currently locked in a battle on the mode of primary to be used in choosing the flag bearer of the party.

While Edo APC led by Anselm Ojezua said it was adopting the indirect pri­mary method for the emer­gence of the party’s flag bearer in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in the state, the NWC said it had adopted the direct pri­mary option.

While the direct pri­mary method involves all card-carrying members of the party, only accredited delegates are allowed to participate in the indirect primary method.

Since the crisis broke out, some Nigerians are wonder­ing why Obaseki is opposed to the direct primary meth­od, saying he shouldn’t be afraid if truly he is as pop­ular as he has claimed.

However, speaking with Daily Independent, Obaseki, who spoke through Crusoe Osagie, his Special Adviser on Media and Communi­cation Strategy, said as an extremely popular candi­date, he was not afraid of any mode of primary and would defeat any aspirant who slugged it out with him for the APC ticket.

He said as the Chief Secu­rity Officer of the state, he was opposed to the idea of direct primary now because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

According to him, gath­ering together over 500,000 party members in the name of primary may trigger the number of COVID-19 cases already in the state, a situa­tion he said would put more lives at risk.

“The governor of Edo State and leader of the APC in the state, Governor God­win Obaseki, is an extreme­ly popular candidate who will defeat any aspirant that contests the party’s ticket in whatever means of primary that is used.

“The question we should ask is, ‘Is direct primary the better alternative now in the midst of this COVID-19 pan­demic?

“If you recall, some peo­ple are even pushing for the postponement of the elec­tion but INEC said it had to go ahead because it was con­stitutionally circumscribed.

“That is why even INEC is releasing a policy with which elections within this period are going to be con­ducted.

“Nobody will do anything now and will not consider the fact that gathering a large number of people to­gether at a point in the name of primary.

“Direct primary involves gathering together about 400,000 to 500,000 party members in different units to vote.

“In this period of this pandemic, that is enough to trigger the pandemic crisis in the state.

“According to the NCDC, as at May 23, 2020, 28 new cases had been discovered in Edo State.

“If we gather this large number of people together, naturally we are going to shoot up the number and there will be crisis.

“In our opinion, anybody who loves this country and the citizens should be look­ing for ways to reduce the spread of this virus.

“Governor Obaseki, as a responsible citizen and Chief Security Officer of Edo State, will not take any action that will put the health and safety of the good people of the state at risk.

“That is why we are op­posed to the idea of direct primary at this period.”

On the rumours that he may be out of his way from the party, Obaseki also reaffirmed his earlier stance that he had no plans to dump the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that as the state party leader, he was firmly in control of the chapter.

“I have said it repeated­ly that Governor Godwin Obaseki is firmly in charge of the structures of the APC in the state.

“Whatever rumours out there that the governor is leaving the party is com­pletely false. You don’t leave a house that you built and you are in control of,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Charles Idahosa, a former Commissioner for Infor­mation in the state, said Oshiomhole could not interfere in the mode of primary as he was an in­terested party in the crisis plaguing the state chapter of the party.

He also argued that if the APC under Oshiomhole could adopt the indirect primary method in 2016, which produced Obaseki as the party’s candidate, it would be unreasonable for the party to settle for the di­rect method at a period the country and the state were battling hard to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

“On the issue of direct or indirect primary, it is very clear that primary is a do­mestic issue of a political party.

“There is a Supreme Court judgment on that. I think Oshiomhole is just out to do a lot of destruction just like he did in Zamfara and other states.

“What surprises me most is that all the leaders of the party are just waiting for him to destroy the fabrics of the democracy of APC. Why they are doing that, I don’t know.

“When people try to change a story to suit them, it is very painful. Everybody is aware that on the issue of Edo State, Oshiomhole is a principal actor; in fact, he is an interested party in this matter.

“He wants Obaseki out at all cost. Oshiomhole was governor in Edo State when Obaseki contested the gov­ernorship primary in 2016.

“The method used was indirect primary and it was held at the Ogbeh Stadium, supervised by Oshiomhole himself.

“There was no coronavi­rus then, but he used indi­rect primary, why is he now calling for direct primary at a time we are all trying to stop the spread of coronavi­rus in the state?

“In Edo State, we don’t care if it is direct primary or indirect. What we are say­ing is the fairness.

“If Oshiomhole is in­volved, whether direct or indirect, there is going to be problem because he is biased.”

https://www.independent.ng/edo-2020-why-im-opposed-to-direct-primary-obaseki/

I said it this Obaseki guy is a technocrat can u imagine the weapon he is using to counter osho direct primary method, a very valid weapon.

Osho should rest and allow this guy finish the remaining 4 years, he was also given same chance so he shouldn't deprive others of thier own privilege.

Hnmmm if this guy enta for his 2nd term in office eeeeeeh osho will need to feel a form before entering Edo state and write an exam before entering his village.

and Lagosians will sit at the comfort of their homes doing permutations for Edo state on how Oshiomhole will trump obaseki. .I just smh


it's either obaseki or PDP... Oshiomhole is dead and buried in Edo land

So simple, we already know...You go lose ..and you are scared of losing. Next please.

if dont lick your god father ass Ambode like disgrace loading.

Lies

Oshiomole only concern is removing Obaseki.

He doesn't care about the people who would be infected.

After all his family members are safely tucked in Abuja and his fortress @Iyamoh.

Indirect will curb the spread and Obaseki must insist on indirect or disrupt the process.

No godfather brought in oshiomole,
but, oshiomole brought in a godson and even fighting tooth and nail to bring in another godson.
Edo,can you imagine?

He has a point. But he is just pointing at himself.

You're gone man.

There is nothing you can do about it.

Kabaka sang a song for you some months back you think he was joking.



Kabaka song lyrics: "when the time is right my brother Dem no dey tele person"

Lol

His reasons are pretty good and sensible. Politics just nor go let some people see road . I mean if the method that guarantees a possible outbreak in the state is being pushed for, then it should be questionable the balance between politics and people welfare.

Life is a lot more fragile than we think. So you should treat others in a way that leaves no regrets. Fairly, and if possible, sincerely.

If PDP decides to do direct primary, can Obaseki stop them as governor because of COVID-19??

Nothing concern us with una problem. My own is let the party have more crisis so Edo will fall to the hand of PDP like in Zamfara and Rivers State.


Just that Edo PDP no dey see opportunity here to help destroy them. Wike really dealt with Amaechi

ednut1:
if dont lick your god father ass Ambode like disgrace loading.

lol...Edo no be lagos my brother... Oshiomhole is dead in Edo,take it or leave it

Obaseki has eaten the spoon that fed him by being mischievous, arrogant and power drunk.
Why must he insist on indirect primaries?
A student cannot decide for the examiner if he is truly a brilliant student.
I can never vote for any Nigerian politician for the rest of my life. They are the same wolves in sheeps clothing. Non of them is good.

Fear na e grab am......lol

This is an example of a man who knows the kind of power he has as a governor of a state, Oshiomhole should go kill himself,, large gathering is ban in the state and direct election won't hold, I stand with Obaseki and I'm going to vote for you once again.

Obaseki is right to be on panic mode.
Oshiomhole that has been rigging elections shamelessly since 2015 cannot be trusted to conduct a direct election in Edo state..
Remember Osun? KOGI? Kano?

Politics is a very powerful game not for the weak and unapt.Obaseki will either go the Ambode or Udom way.Time will tell

I said sometimes ago that Oshiomole will deal with Obaseki and someone quoted me to tell me how Obaseki will rubbish Oshiomole at the poll.....


Obaseki who said god-fatherism in Edo politics must be abolished went to plead with Tinubu who is a god-father to many in the West land....To help him fight Oshiomole....


I don't like Oshiomole, but Obaseki played a child's politics in today's game.....

Wise decision though

Very thoughtful. Obaseki seems to have a good strategy

Ok

Oga direct primaries is still the best and that is what inec is using for the same election
Having division of people in different unit is better than having different delegate cluster together from different town in one place
Obaseki

Direct or no direct party supremacy is at play.

Na now you get your people at heart. Covid ko, 19 ni! Go and face your "erection" jare.

Djarmzz:
Visit my signature if you're into football betting

you should be a billionaire by now

martineverest:
and Lagosians will sit at the comfort of their homes doing permutations for Edo state on how Oshiomhole will trump obaseki. .I just smh


it's either obaseki or PDP... Oshiomhole is dead and buried in Edo land

my guy shut up you bini people makes too much useless noise.


That's why you people hype your useless city, the most useless and under developed city in South south full of mud house


Making noise about your culture and king but it took the British 3 days to burn down your kingdom then exile your king to Calabar


Making noise in politics and your state has nothing to boast of better political position in the country.


Do you think politics is by noise? Please go and sleep you're a lazy youth. go and repair your old city ravage with cultism and prostitution.

Osho baba in action...why the sudden care for the citizen .

Direct or indirect primaries, Obaseki may still emerge as d flag bearer of Apc , cos it appears Oshiomole as really lay low, I hardly hear of him these days; I hope all is well with Osho baba.

I sincerely hope someday this godfather-godson brouhaha will end in our politics.

Make election no kukuma hold at all then.