The All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Mr Godwin Obaseki, was
absent at the Benson Idahosa University Interactive session held over the
weekend for party candidates to present and defend their manifestoes ahead
of the Edo governorship election on September 10. 2016.
A director in his Campaign Organisation, Mr Austin Osakwe, who was at the
maiden session to represent him, was not allowed to do so because
participation, according to the organisers, was not possible by proxy.
Osakwe, who said his principal did not shun the event, explained to
newsmen outside the venue that though he would have loved to be physically
present for the event, he (Obaseki) was out of town.
According to him,”I believe that what they have done is the right thing.
He is not able to be here today because of exigencies. He has not been in
town for the past four days. So he could not make it here today.”
Vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Ernest Izevbigie, who frowned
at the absence of some of the governorship candidates and others who came
late to the event, said the attitude does not augur well for persons
aspiring to lead a people.
He declared, “Every candidate ought to cease every platform available to
reach out to Edo people. They should be excited to share, because it
provides an opportunity to convince people who are undecided or who are
sitting on the fence.”
Prof. Izevbigie said the interactive session was designed to create a
platform for all the governorship candidates to showcase to Edo people
their plans and their vision for the state if they get elected as the
State governor.
“It is a unique opportunity for the governorship candidates to showcase
their party programs in the best way possible. It is not a forum for
criticisms but to show the voting public how well they understand the
minds of Edo people,” he explained.
He added that the University as an intellectual environment also organized
the event as part of its corporate social responsibility and for the
candidates to present highlights of their manifestoes and their vision for
the state.
However, it would be recalled that Godwin Obaseki has come under serious
criticisms for not speaking up, both for himself and the party at APC
rallies as iGov Adams Oshiomhole has taken over the campaign and largely
doing the talking.
This event was an opportunity for Obaseki to rubbish that assertion, but
with his absence the impression in several quarters in the state that he
is “puppet candidate” who cannot hold his own has been further reinforced
Among the governorship candidates who featured in the event which
attracted members of the voting public and students of the Benson Idahosa
University community were Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP who gave a
beautiful rendition of his “Simple Agenda” and Dr Gbajumo Omorogieva of
the SDP.