Abstain from internal political process of APC- NGO warns Health Minister

An NGO, Safe Edo Movement has warned the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, to abstain from the internal political process of electing the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress following allegations that he has been enlisted by the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to provide a medical basis for his bid to influence a change in the adopted mode of primary elections by the party in the state.

The APC National Working Committee, in fulfillment of its constitutional role, had prescribed a direct primary involving all registered members of the party as the mode of the Edo primary scheduled for the 22nd of June. However, the Governor who faces stiff opposition from members of the party has kicked against the decision of the NWC over fears that his unpopularity within the party would make a direct primary a sure defeat and definitive end to his second term bid.

Obaseki has sought to use the COVID-19 situation in the state as the basis for a restrictive indirect primary involving only selected delegates. But his argument has struggled to hold given that an election between delegates would involve a large congregation and increase the risk of contracting and spreading the novel coronavirus disease.

However, according to Safe Edo Movement, the Governor is now seeking to use the office of the Minister of Health to add credence to his claims and compel the party into opting for an indirect primary at a stadium in the state capital.

In a statement released this morning, the NGO’s President, Mr. Chris Oshoka said: “We have received reliable information that the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has been mobilized by Governor Godwin Obaseki and would be flown into Benin City for a planned inspection of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for its suitability for indirect primaries as desired by Governor Obaseki.”

“We find this move appalling and outside the purview of the Health Ministry. The conduct of a political party’s primary election, as decided by the Supreme Court, is solely the responsibility of such a party’s leadership. In this case, the APC NWC is the only empowered body to carry out this role.”

“Further, there are credible reasons to believe that the indirect primary process clamored for by Obaseki is driven solely by political considerations.”

“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19 has repeatedly advised against large gatherings while the country tries to keep the infection rate of the novel virus at bay. Churches and Mosques have been placed under lock and key for this reason.”

“It would amount to a double-speak and create an integrity crisis for the Ministry if the Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, allows himself to be used as a political tool by Obaseki in setting the stage for an event like an indirect primary that is estimated to hold over 5000 persons in a single location.”

“Dr. Osagie Ehanire is advised to immediately disembark from this dangerous plan to avoid bringing himself and the Ministry he heads into disrepute. Ministries of governments at the Federal level should be above partisan politics and be driven only by what is best for the people of Nigeria.”