The candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki and his major contender Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming September 19 governorship election, on Sunday, explained how they swapped political parties.
Recalled that four years ago, Obaseki was the candidate of the APC, while Ize-Iyamu was the candidate of the PDP but the narrative changed in the forthcoming election as both candidates have now swapped political parties, contesting for the same position.
During the “EdoGovernorshipDebate” on Channels Television on Sunday, Obaseki said following his disqualification in the APC Primary, he engaged his political family in discussions, who advised him to join the PDP.
The governor thanked the PDP for giving him the platform to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
In a one-minute explanation, Obaseki explained his decision, “I think the whole country knew what happened to me in the APC. I was at the party and was disqualified from contesting the governorship primary. I discussed it with my people and we decided on the PDP. I want to thank the party for giving me the umbrella.”
In responding to the question, Ize-Iyamu said he was a foundation member of the APC but left in 2014 when he was not satisfied with the conduct of the state congress.
He said, “I am a foundation member of the APC. I left in 2014 because of a problem that arose in our congress. Thank God I am back and I remain constant with the agenda I have. I am not new in the APC; it is my home.”
During the debate, both candidates disagreed on so many issues including the financial contribution to the Adams Oshiomhole governorship campaign funds in the past.
The moderator of the debate sought to know the reason behind the recuring decimal of Oshiomhole, for or against, between the two candidates.
Obaseki added that he was one of the people who helped Oshiomhole to become the state governor by raising funds for the former National Chairman of APC, who he claimed had no money when he (Oshiomhole) left the presidency of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He said, “I was one of those who helped Oshiomhole to become governor in the state. When he left the Labour union, he had no money, so, I joined others to raise funds for his campaign. For eight years, I worked pro-bono (work without pay) for him. When I became governor, he felt I should be subservient and that was where the godfather issue started.”
In his reaction, Ize-Iyamu said from his enquiries, Obaseki only contributed ₦100,000 to the campaign funds of Oshiomhole.
He said, “I am shocked to hear what Obaseki said. In that fundraising, N10 million was realized and I asked Oshiomhole what was Obaseki’s contribution and he said N100,000.”
