Obaseki Vows to Make Oshiomhole Politically Irrelevant in Edo

Edo State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, has vowed to politically defeat his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, and diminish his influence in the state.

Obaseki made the remarks during a PDP campaign rally in Wards 8 and 10 at Edaiken Market in Egor Local Government Area.

The governor said his main political battle was with Oshiomhole, the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than with the APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

According to Obaseki, democratic leadership should allow successive officeholders to serve their terms without attempts by former leaders to retain excessive control.

“This fight is between me and Oshiomhole. The fight is not between me and Ize-Iyamu,” he said.

Obaseki added that the September election would provide an opportunity to further reduce Oshiomhole’s political influence in Edo State.

“We have retired him and on September 19, we will bury him politically,” the governor said.

He explained that he decided to speak publicly about his disagreement with Oshiomhole because of what he described as misinformation surrounding their strained relationship.

Obaseki also referred to a dispute over the allocation and sale of lock-up shops at Edaiken Market, alleging that the previous administration had sold some shops for N1 million to associates.

He said his administration reversed the arrangement and made the shops available at a more affordable rate, a decision he suggested contributed to tensions between him and Oshiomhole.

The allegations regarding the previous sale arrangement were presented as Obaseki’s claims and were not independently established in the statement.

Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who also addressed supporters at the rally, said governance should be focused on strengthening institutions rather than building political structures around individuals.

Shaibu also expressed confidence that the PDP would defeat the APC in the governorship election, including in Oshiomhole’s Ward 10 in Etsako West Local Government Area.

The remarks reflected the increasingly personal political rivalry between Obaseki and Oshiomhole as campaigning intensified ahead of the Edo governorship election.