Oshiomhole’s Fans to Obaseki, “Auchi is not Benin.”
By:
Jeremiah Enaholo Kadiri
jeremiahkadiri@gmail.com
The
internal crisis rocking Edo state chapter of the ruling All Progressive
Congress took a turn for the worse on Saturday as unknown arsonists invaded the
venue for the party’s rally in Auchi, torching down to ashes, a podium,
canopies and vehicles.
It
is on record that though the faction of the party loyal to Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole has felt the need to welcome new members from other parties to the
folds of APC since the last quarter of 2019 chief amongst whom is Pastor Osagie
Ize-Iyamu who contested against Obaseki under the Peoples’ Democratic Party in
2016, the incumbent governor and Chief Security Officer of Edo state had on
security grounds stated that there shall be no political rallies held in the
state until security challenges are savaged. This move stalled the mega rally
that was to hold in honor of POI who had declared interest to come back to the
APC.
However,
in view of the oncoming year 2020 electioneering process of selecting party
flag bearers, the APC National Chairman together with his supporters in Edo
North decided to hold a mega rally in Etsako West Local Government Headquarters
Auchi, to formally welcome all decamping political giants and their supporters
to APC. This move met yet another stumbling block as the faction were denied
access to using the Ikelebe Sports’ Arena (Public Field), an arena known for
political gatherings and public functions despite the fact that the place was
free for use. Owing to the Government’s stand on no political rallies in view
of supposed security challenges, the faction decided to use a private property
at the popular Sharp Corner know as Royal Block event center to carry out their
activity.
Furthermore,
after having set the stage on Friday in anticipation of the event, unknown
gunmen invaded the area, burnt down vehicles, the podium and canopies accompanied
by sporadic gunshots at about 2a.m in a bid to stop the event from happening as
planned.
Despite
the drawback the event went on as if the incidence was just a catalyst for
spicing up the show. Members trouped in from Owan East and West, Akoko-edo,
Etsako East and Central, the Esans as well as from beyond the shores of the
state to witness the grand event of defection into the APC under the
supervision of Oshiomhole in Auchi, Etsako West LGA.
Chief
amongst the ‘Decampees’ were Pastor
Ize Iyamu and Engr. Abubakar Momoh from the PDP along sides their multitude of
supporters.
The
avenue was also a forum for Comrade Adams to showcase Pius Odubu, Christopher
Ogiemwonyi, Charles Airhiavbere and Osagie Ize-Iyamu the four APC Governorship
aspirants to the people of Edo state officially, with the assurance that either
of these would outperform the incumbent Governor if elected.
The
Chairman assured all of his unreserved focus and strife to bring in more
members into the folds of his party stating that “politics is a game of number, the
more the better. The better, the stronger.” He enjoined everyone to embrace peace despite the incidences
that have trailed the party at the state level and warned that those who do not
wish for the party to progress will only be left behind as the party by
structure and nomenclature is a party of and for the progressives.
The
event saw the presence of deputy house leader of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Peter Akpatason, Lucky Imaswen and a host of other political tycoons who
took out time to observe a-minute silence for the Late former deputy chairman
of APC in Edo state, Otumba Charlton
Mogaji who passed on earlier in January.
The
event witnessed no fracas for as long as it ensued as watertight security was
provided by the Police, NSCDC, local Vigilante Squads from both Auchi and Jattu
as well as community hunters and youths of Auchi Sacred kingdom who chanted “Auchi no be Benin” in view of the fact
that though the rally was stalled in Benin, Auchi has overcome all challenges
and pulled through with the event.
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