APC Convention: Edo Govt House Shutdown for Oshiomhole

Ahead of the national congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) slated for Saturday in Abuja, prominent leaders of the party and top government officials of Edo State have virtually relocated to the federal capital territory.

They all went to Abuja in support of Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate past governor of the state, who is contesting for the national chairmanship of APC.

A visit to the Government House in Benin City showed that offices of top government functionaries were deserted.

Among those said to have left the city on Thursday were Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; civil commissioners and the Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele.

Top party official who had also left since yesterday, were the state Chairman of the party, Anselm Ojezua; state Secretary, Lawrence Okah; Senator Domingo Obende, Senator Ehigie Uzamere,  EJ Agbonayima and the entire leadership of the APC in the state.

Many of these bigwigs were seen at the Benin Airport boarding flight to Abuja.

Speaking to journalists, the state APC Chairman, Ojezua, said their early trip to Abuja was to give support to Oshiomhole who is the party caucus chairman in Edo and father of modern democracy in the state.

“He is our father so we have no other choice than to relocate the seat of power from Edo State to Abuja temporarily to give support to the father of modern Edo State, Oshiomhole."

He said: “You know when you have a good product; you really have no much marketing to do. From the outset, I have always maintained the fact that the party needs him because we are at a time when so much has happened in the past four years, and by reason of our constitution, this is a good time for us to prepare because next year, we are going for elections and the last time we spoke, I told you that we needed a warrior because we are going for a battle.

“More importantly, the party must radiate trust and confidence of the people. And who is the best person to occupy that position is a man that already has the trust and confidence of generality of Nigerians. And Oshiomhole is the best person. Therefore, I expect that we have been able to achieve consensus on account of the support that he has been able to acquire across the country."