Godwin Obaseki: Jubilant

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

The campaign of the gubernatorial candidate of the ‎Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has suffered a major setback with the defection of his Edo North Campaign Coordinator,  Alhaji Sheidu Jimoh Oshioke and hundreds of his supporters to the All Progressive Congress.

Alhaji Oshioke, popularly known as Peoples’ Lawyer, announced his defection on Wednesday, at the APC Edo North senatorial flag-off campaign of Mr. Godwin Obaseki held at the Ikelebe Sports complex in Auchi.

He said he and 5000 PDP members decided to join the APC because the APC performed many things the PDP said were impossible.

According to him, “Each time we are going for campaigns, we drove through roads constructed by the APC and I asked myself, what are we going to tell these communities.

“Oshiomhole has done well and we must support him. He built schools, roads, water and many things,” ‎Oshioke added.

Speaking at the rally, Obaseki described as laughable claims by the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, that the 200,000 jobs he (Obaseki) promised in four years was a deceit.

“We have plans to achieve this but PDP has no plans as a result they feel it is impossible. But we have programme running, we will not only create employment, we will bring investors who will develop our state,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, while addressing the mammoth crowd, said “with the foundation Oshiomhole has laid, we are ready to go. The PDP think the 200,000 employment I promised is not possible and that is funny. They failed in this state because they have no plans from day one and that is why Edo people have rejected them. They will never come back to the state and they know they are finished.”

Earlier in his speech, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who received the defectors, said “all the projects the PDP said were impossible in Edo North we have done. Without the help of the PDP Federal government, we solved the Auchi erosion problem. Under their eyes we tarred several roads in Edo North, built hospitals and red roof schools including in the home of their factional chairman.

“Obaseki will continue from where I stopped because he has the experience, the commitment and the will to deliver the goods.”