APC members are bemoaning the “chaos” and “toxic crackup” in the party with Godwin Obaseki’s insistence on seeking a second term after a woeful first tenure.
Why is that? many APC members feel betrayed by Obaseki who on the assumption of office not only alienated them but also blackmailed them, claiming they are lazy members seeking money to share from the Government coffers.
The members are calling for a way to find a consensus gubernatorial hopeful to send Obaseki parking from Dennis Osadebe Avenue,iReporteronline learnt.
“There’s only one person I’m interested in stopping and that’s Obaseki,” said a top APC chieftain in the state.
Apparently, there is a consensus agreement in the APC that Obaseki must go but who is worthy of his replacement?
Hence the need for a consensus on the right candidate to take over the leadership of the State from Obaseki.
Making the rounds is a list of criteria purportedly written by the party in search for an acceptable candidate to fly the party’s ticket.
The list is made up of 12 likely criteria to be met by the contending aspirants.
Going by these criterions, Ogiemwonyi seems best positioned to take over the mantle of leadership from Obaseki, particularly given his own appeal to mainstream APC members.
Ogiemwonyi’s aspiration has presented a credible alternative to Godwin Obaseki’s self-rule, but now its members need to make a decision: Are they ready to spend the next four years been ridiculed and alienated ? or do they aspire to be something bigger, the party members wish for a prosperous Edo State that would have a lasting impact on the direction of the State.
Fact check reveals Ogiewmwonyi’s membership of APC has been consistent over the last 5 years.
His loyalty to the leadership of the party and its members has never been in doubt since his entrance to the party.
Credibility, reliability and integrity are some of the criteria listed in the search for a consensus candidate.
Ogiemwonyi’s foundation is laid on these principles, he started his career from the cradle in NNPC and retired as a GED.
Despite coming from a minority tribe, Ogiemwonyi till date is the only person to have had the opportunity of directing the affairs of all the major departments under the NNPC establishment.
GED NNPC.
MD Nigerian Gas Company.
MD National Petroleum Development Company(NPDC)
Group Manager NAPIMS.
No doubt APC members are positive his experience in the oil and gas sector has exposed him to countless integrity test which he definitely passed with flying colours.
Obaseki presently is set to go against anyone that stands in his way in achieving his second term bid.
The incumbent Governor has embarked on a sacking spree of his aides who are perceived disloyal to his leadership.
APC party members are in UNISON that only a consensus candidate can match the ferocious and brutal force of Obaseki.
Ogiemwonyi’s compassion and empathy have continued to endear him to the majority of party members who have started rooting for his consensus candidacy.
APC no doubt needs a candidate that is free from pieces of luggage and one who appeals to the electorates.
A repeat of recent setback in the electoral fortunes of the party should be avoided at all cost.
APC members are concerned that a vote split between the major aspirants would enable Obaseki to grab the APC nomination.
Ogiewmonyi is seen as one who has the resources to put up a strong battle against Obaseki.
If the authentic APC is to reach any consensus, they have little time to do it.
The earlier the consensus arrangement is met the more time the party would have to sort out its internal squabbles that may arise from the arrangement.
So while Obaseki continues in his macabre dance, Ogiemwonyi seems to be enjoying a friendly consensus arrangement by the majority of APC members.
“He has a unifying personality,” says Gold Idehen, the special adviser on political matters to Chris Ogemwonyi campaign organisation “He seems to have come along as the right guy at the right time.”
The last two weeks have seen multiple groups calling on APC members to unite behind Eng Chris Ogiemwonyi in hopes of stopping Obaseki.
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah writes in from Benin City
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