Edo 2020: Don't allow yourself as tool to Obaseki, Edo APC tells Health Minister

Edo state chapter of all progressive congress APC, has called on the minister of health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, not to allow himself as tool in the hands of Edo state embattled Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to fake inflate COVID-19 infected people in the state.

In a statement signed by the state publicity secretary of the party; Mr. Chris Azebamwan, and made available to ChrisOsaMedia, he stated that Obaseki plans to inflate figures of number of people who have been infected by COVID-19, so he can order lockdown of the state to abort preparation for direct primary.

In the statement by the party's spokesman, he said "It has come to the attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC Edo State, that Governor Godwin Obaseki has perfected plans to manipulate and inflate the Covid-19 infection figures in Edo State, in order to create the false impression that Edo State has become an epicenter of the pandemic.

His plan is to use the fake data to arm twist and blackmail the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC, and the Federal Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire to declare a medical emergency in Edo State. Obaseki will then issue an Executive Order to lockdown Edo State in order to abort the scheduled primaries preparatory to the Governorship elections. 

This is the height of desperation carried too far, and we want to urge the Minister of Health not to allow himself to be used as an unwitting tool in the hands of Godwin Obaseki in his determination to secure a second term ticket by hook or by crook. Dr. Osagie Ehanire is a distinguished son of Edo State and he has built a reputation for professional best practices over the years. He cannot now allow Obaseki to smear his pristine image in his blind determination to rule Edo State against the wishes of the citizens. 

One wonders why a Governor who claims to have done well, and insists that his second term ambition is deserved, earned and non-negotiable is so scared of submitting himself to the ordinary members of his Party for adoption through popular acclamation that is the very essence of direct mode of primaries.

Going further, he said, "We urge Godwin Obaseki to let the people lead by submitting himself to the process of direct primaries. He should stop shopping for indirect primaries because he believes he can intimidate political office holders who draw salaries and stipends from the public purse and are therefore, answerable to the Governor. 

Finally, it is more in consonance with the safety guidelines and protocols of the WHO, Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, and State Government regulations to have about 200 persons participate in the direct primaries at each Ward, than to crowd about 4,000 people into one venue for indirect primaries.

Godwin Obaseki should abide by the guidelines of the APC by submitting himself to direct primaries, and stop heating up the polity. Only the guilty run when no one is pursuing them, as stated Mr. Chris Azebamwan.