Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been accused of supporting Gov. Godwin Obaseki during the last governorship election in Edo state.
Mr. Tunde Rahman, spokesman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the APC said the chieftains supported Obaseki because of the politics of 2023.
Tinubu’s aide stated this in an article titled, ‘Asiwaju Tinubu and Edo Election,’ published on TheCable.
Asiwaju, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, is believed to be eyeing the presidency in 2023.
In the article, Mr. Rahman said, “Indeed, it must be pointed out clearly that beneath all the shenanigans that trailed Edo poll, underneath all of that rabble-rousing, rumour-mongering, campaign of calumny, character assassination, deceit and double-dealing is the matter of 2023.
“Rather than first helping their party solidify its stronghold and strengthen it for future elections and re-commit themselves to the party’s ideals and principles, the APC chieftains were tearing at the party’s fabric, destroying its foundation and preparing it for eventual disintegration in the name of playing politics of 2023.
“But like Asiwaju rightly observed, he is but a mere mortal who does not foresee tomorrow. What tomorrow holds, indeed what 2023 holds, is within the province of God Almighty.”
The aide further stated that Tinubu recorded a video in which he called on the people of Edo State not to support Obaseki to appeal to their sense of democracy. Rahman said Tinubu was in no way giving orders to the good people of Edo State.
Analysts said the video further strengthened the rumour that Tinubu wanted to control the affairs of Edo State by installing a proxy, fueling the ‘Edo No Be Lagos’ campaign, which helped in defeating APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Rahman further wrote, “The opposition PDP and their agents made heavy weather of Asiwaju’s video on social media. Now, Asiwaju did not seek to dictate to the people of Edo. He was not out to oust their rights to choose by themselves.
“Far from usurping their power to determine who should govern them, the broadcast was an appeal to the people borne of a commitment to democratic principles, a clear appreciation of the fundamental role of parliament in a democracy, adherence to the principle of separation of powers, and his irritation by the antics of Governor Obaseki against the 14 lawmakers. It was an appeal for the people to think about the democratic credentials of the candidates in casting their votes.”
