...Says, kola nut last longer in the mouth of those that value it
A former Director of Media and Publicity for Adams Oshiomhole campaign organisation, Comrade Orobosa Omi-Ojo on Monday April 15, 2024, formally withdrew his support for Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Comrade Omo-Ojo explained that he took his decision to save his relationship with those that look up to him for leadership in community service.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress, APC State Secretariat in Benin City where he was received back to the party by the Chairman and Secretary of ward 3, Ovia North East local government area, Comrade Omo-Ojo, a former Commissioner of Transport in Edo state disclosed that Governor Obaseki’s refusal to pay N500,000.00 (five hundred thousand naira) only to the family of Late Joseph Igunma for his burial, was the last straw in a series of horrible actions of Obaseki that led to his decision.
Comrade Omo-Ojo flanked by Engr. Lawrence Okah, APC State Secretary; Mr. Akenbor Godwin, APC Ward 3 Chairman; Mr. Peter Omorodion, Secretary, APC Ovia Northeast local government area and Hon. Gabriel Osayande, former Supervisory Council.
“We lost a very reliable community mobiliser a day after the last Presidential and National Assembly elections in my ward. He was the coordinator appointed to manage one of the units in my ward. That unit was one of the 3 units PDP struggled to win in my community.
“During our strategic meeting for the State House of Assembly election, I cautioned the governor in the presence of other leaders that, the party must reward those that delivered their units, including the Late Joseph Igunma who had spent his resources to deliver his unit before he slumped and died. Obaseki asked for a written request from the family, which they did.
“Obaseki eventually approved the sum of N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira) well after some community members contributed money and buried their son.”
The former Commissioner of Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas, as well as Commissioner of Transport, explained that till date, Obaseki has refused to approve the release of the paltry sum, despite his repeated reminder. This situation, he said, is capable of making him contemptuous in his community.
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He added also that he has become wired, tired and exhausted from the series of unending fights Obaseki has engaged his supporters in, which had distracted him from achieving his campaign promises.
“Today, the 15th day of April 2024, I have come to the realisation that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
“I have given Mr. Governor (Obaseki) opportunities to turn better leaves and act in a different manner or change his understanding of leadership but to no avail.
“In 2020, when situations forced some of us to regrettably shift political affiliation to the PDP alongside Governor Obaseki, I have persistently cautioned against incessant intra-party fight between irate forces backed by the governor and the ‘parent Legacy PDP’.
“My peaceful disposition was nonsensically seen as affront to the belligerent group that see political victory as spoils of war.”
In the end, Comrade Omo-Ojo said, the PDP suffered the worst political defeat in Edo State, where the governor, commissioners and majority of the PDP leaders lost their units and wards.
“I have decided to listen to the call by my community and friends to disassociate our support from the governor,” the former Special Adviser on Arts, Culture and Tourism to Oshiomhole said.
The journalist and publisher is a foundation member of Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Congress (APC).