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Appealing my disqualification by APC futile – Obaseki
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says it is effort in futility to appeal his disqualification to contest the gubernatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by the party’s screening committee.
“We call on all party members and our teeming supporters to remain calm and await further directives, in the light of the announcement of my unjust disqualification to participate in @OfficialAPCNg primary election in Edo State by the screening committee,” an obviously angry Obaseki announced on his Twitter handle Friday.
The APC Screening Committee for Edo State Governorship election had earlier on Friday declared Governor Obaseki unqualified to contest in the election slated for June 22, due to alleged discrepancies in his educational certificates and NYSC.
Others also disqualified are Hon. Matthew Iduoroyekemwen and Egnr. Chris Ogiemwonyi.
The committee however cleared Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Dr. Pius Odubu and Hon. Osaro Obazee.
Obaseki had expressed loss of confidence on the screening committee after his appearance before the panel. He said his re-election bid on the platform of APC was being threatened because of Oshiomhole’s personal interest.
The Governor, in a statement by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, said it was futile appealing when the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole had allegedly orchestrated the move from the beginning.
READ: Obaseki expresses loss of confidence in APC committee
“We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is administering and superintending over in our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC). It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.
“We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Governor Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run-up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.
“It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
“We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
“We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.
“We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives,” the governor’s statement declared.