The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Edo State chapter has pleaded with the immediate past governor of the state, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole to support the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki for a second term in office just as the latter supported his administration for the eight years he was governor. The church leaders urged the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to put his party’s machinery together to the best of his ability within the interest of the peace of the state and in the interest of the party “to ensure continuity of the administration of Godwin Noghehase Obaseki”. Presenting its “mediation report” on the face-off between Oshiomhole, and his successor, Godwin Noghehase Obaseki” at a press conference Monday, CAN said Oshiomhole’s support was imperative “for the purpose of the development, advancement of the state; more particularly, for the uncommon impact that the Godwin Obaseki’s administration has made in the state developmentally, and in every ramification within the very short time of his administration which Edo people are very well pleased with, and reposed their confidence in him for a second term in office”.
In its report jointly signed by the state chairman and secretary, Oriname Oyonnude Kure and Humphrey Best Iriabe respectively, CAN, which had waded into the feud between the duo, said having heard from both of them, “we observed that the methodology applied by His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Noghehase Obaseki differs from the perception of the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole considering the economic situation (recession) and context under which he assumed office as the Governor of the State”. The association listed the issues involved to include the opening of the Edo Specialist Hospital, constitution of dissolved boards and parastatals, politics of exclusion, award of contracts to “foreigners”, and the inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly. Others are the attack on the APC national chairman, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in Benin, attack on the governor, Oba of Lagos and chancellor of Edo University, Iyamho November 2, 2019, and severance allowance of the immediate past deputy governor, Pius Odubu.
While counseling the duo on the need for mutual respect for one another “and the issues talked over in the interest of Edo people”, CAN appealed to them to restore the trust and confidence that once existed between them in order to achieve the desired progress in the state” as trust and confidence are the binding forces for progress. Urging Oshiomhole “not to allow some few individuals soil the good name and legacy he has so enshrined on the chronicle of achievers and builders of Edo land”, CAN pleaded with the former governor “to kindly put aside whatsoever may have caused the imbroglio between you and your brother, Mr. Godwin Noghehase Obaseki so that the foundation and uncommon impact that your administration has made in Edo land, which has made you become a hero will not be destroyed”.
They further pleaded with both parties to embrace what unites us as a state and not what divides us, adding that “as both of them are Christians who share one faith, one baptism, one Lord, one hope of our calling, and both are members of the same political family”, they should endeavour to make peace and sheathe their swords. On the complaint of politics of exclusion, CAN urged the governor not to relent in his efforts towards good governance “and to pursue the issue of inclusion by resolving the issue with aggrieved party members within the ambit of the rule of law so as to join forces together to ensure continuity in the art of governance of the State”. While it condemned in its entirety any form of attack, the Christian body enjoined both parties to consciously guide and watch against future reoccurrence and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.