As the governorship elections in the Edo and Ondo draw nearer, the former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has revealed that, based on a previous agreement, President Muhammadu Buhari, has endorsed that the serving governors of Edo and Ondo states, Godwin Obaseki, Rotimi Akeredolu, respectively, be returned as governors of their respective states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election to hold on September 19 in Edo while the one for Ondo will hold on October 10.
In a widely publicized sponsored advertorial in many national dailies on Thursday, Oyegun said that he was privy to the endorsement of the two governors by President Muhammadu Buhari.
While noting that despite the endorsement by President, the two governors must undergo the usual party primary elections, the elder statesman said: “I also welcome most warmly the news that Mr President has firmly endorsed the agreement reached to settle the disruptive leadership crisis at the national level that was threatening the very existence of the APC.
“The immediately relevant part of the agreement was that both the governors – Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki of Edo State and Mr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN of Ondo State have performed creditably and should be returned unless they do not so wish.
“This means that the party, in unity, should organise to support the return of both governors.
“Our democracy, of course has no room for imposition, so the party must accept and also present members that offer themselves to serve in the positions being occupied by the incumbent governors.”
He expressed optimism that APC members in Edo would support the current governor because, according to him, Obaseki has done in the past few years.
