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The Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that the outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, turned against his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, despite the latter being instrumental to his emergence as governor.
Speaking during a debate on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said: “The man you brought in as governor (Obaseki) has turned against you and against democracy.”
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Responding, Oshiomhole said: “Just for the record, I didn’t bring him in; he was elected, but I supported him, just the way you supported Governor Udom.”
Oshiomhole made Obaseki’s emergence as governor possible in 2016 against the wishes and advice of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The APC leaders had opted for his then-deputy, Pius Odubu, or another politician as a successor.
With Oshiomhole’s support, Obaseki defeated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Two years into Obaseki’s tenure, party leaders expressed dissatisfaction with Obaseki for not including them in his administration.
The issue got to Oshiomhole, whose peace effort failed as Obaseki vowed never to allow a godfather to dictate to him or blackmail him.
Obaseki’s declaration began the Cold War between the duo.
Before the 2024 governorship election, Obaseki had approached Oshiomhole to mend fences in the interest of his candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who eventually lost the poll.
In other news, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, has revealed that the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has not declared any intentions to contest for a second term.
This is contrary to insinuations making rounds that Soludo is seeking a second term as governor.
Mefor, who spoke with journalists in his office on Wednesday, said even though the governor is yet to declare to contest for a second term, he will be persuaded to contest because of his sterling performance.
He said: “Soludo has not declared intention to contest for a second term. He is too busy putting policies in the state to develop the state.
“I’m one of those that will persuade him to run, and if he runs, I will ensure that he wins. He has shown himself to be what Anambra people want.
“All the indices favour Soludo. He is from Anambra South, and the zoning formula favours him. The zoning formula we have in Anambra is such that one is entitled to a second term.
“If Soludo contests, I’m sure he will win because he will not be telling anyone that he will do this or do that, he will rather show them what he has done.
