APC Support Group Queries Oshiomhole’s Leadership, Democratic Credentials

…Says party chieftain has poor sense of history

By Simeon OSAJIE

A Socio-Political Group, ‘APC EDO SOUTH VANGUARD’ has placed the democratic and leadership credentials of APC stalwart, Senator Adams Oshiomhole under close scrutiny and conclude that the Edo North Senator has a poor sense of history, judging by his (Oshiomhole’s) resolve to repeat the mistake he made in the Edo 2020 gubernatorial elections where he fielded an unacceptable candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu which led to a disgraceful outcome for the party.

Rising from an emergency meeting of the Group held during the weekend at the Benin City country home of it’s President, Mr. Charles Osawaru, the Edo South APC support group noted that events of the last few weeks leading to next Saturday Edo gubernatorial primaries of the APC revealed that the state leader of the party, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has in his usual characteristic manner settled for the candidacy of another aspirant with huge moral burden hanging on his neck, to fly the APC ticket in deference to the concerns and sentiments of other party leaders in Edo South in particular and the state at large.

They added that should this be the eventual outcome, a repeat of the 2020 scenario would play out when Oshiomhole singlehandedly railroaded Ize-Iyamu as the party’s candidate in defiance to protestations from other major stakeholders of the party who felt that the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the party’s torchbearer at that contest would be counter-productive because Oshiomhole had during the 2016 gubernatorial campaigns literally taken Ize-Iyamu, then of the PDP to the cleaners by alleging several infractions, acts of irresponsibility, dishonesty and other criminal conduct against him.

When in 2020 after Oshiomhole insisted on the candidacy of Ize-Iyamu for the APC, it became a huge burden on Oshiomhole and the APC on how to clean up Ize-Iyamu after those strong accusations against him by Oshiomhole became a herculean task. The opposition PDP simply installed television sets blaring with loud speakers at the King’s Square in the Benin City centre where Oshiomhole’s exact words in 2016 against Ize-Iyamu were repeatedly aired to the discomfort of Edo indigenes.

“Now, we are about witnessing a similar replay of the 2020 episode in 2024, when Oshiomhole, under whose administration Dennis Idahosa was indicted by an Administrative Panel of Inquiry instituted to investigate acts of misconduct, fraud and malfeasance against Dennis Idahosa. The indictment led to the unceremonious exit of Idahosa from the State Executive Council where he was a Commissioner for Investment and Diaspora Affairs.

Till date, it is disturbing to note that Dennis Idahosa hasn’t made any conscious attempt to approach the courts in order to clear his name of the hanging moral burden on him. He was accused of series of fraud and corrupt practices to an extent that it is believed in many circles that he cannot travel to Canada where he is said to be wanted to answer charges of advance fee fraud (419).

“Two of his siblings are currently said to be cooling their heels in Canadian prisons for offences that involves Dennis Idahosa. It is this same person Oshiomhole has settled for to become governor in Edo state,” the group alleged.

The group noted with concerns that from discussions with prominent Benin political class and actors, it is very certain that Dennis Idahosa, as APC candidate will not earn the needed support of the different political power blocks in Edo South Senatorial District due to his questionable background, reprehensible antecedents and dwindling public image.

“If the party has decided to zone it’s governorship ticket to Edo South Senatorial District, why not allow the various tendencies in the place pick an acceptable candidate that would unite all rather than forcing a bitter pill down the people’s throat?

“Featuring Dennis Idahosa as APC candidate would backfire and would certainly not guarantee APC the needed victory at the polls. Oshiomhole should stop dictating to the Benins who is best to stand in for them at every political contestation”, the group concluded.

The candidacy of Dennis Idahosa as Oshiomhole’s preferred candidate is presently receiving flaks from various individuals, groups and organisations in Edo State. It is hoped that the party leaders would take a second look at fielding Dennis Idahosa as candidate for the September 11 polls if the party hope to put up a respectable showing at the polls.