Edo guber: Group rejects Peter Obi’s candidate

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Ahead of the Saturday, September 21, gubernatorial election in Edo state, a group, Obidients United For Equity, Justice, and Fairness, has accused the former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, of neglecting the principle he once upheld.

Blessing Edobor, the group’s leader, questioned Obi’s decision to endorse Olumide Akpata, a cousin of Governor Godwin Obaseki and a native of the same region as Obaseki, despite the calls from Edo People for greater justice and equity.

In a statement, Edobor highlighted the global and democratic demands for competency, commitment, and balance in politics, emphasising that these principles should guide political decisions.

She referenced recent U.S. political appointments, suggesting that similar principles of regional and religious balance should apply in Nigeria.

Edobor criticised Obi for what she perceives as a lack of consistency, pointing out that during Obi’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, he demonstrated a commitment to regional and religious balance by appointing representatives from diverse backgrounds.

However, she argued that this commitment seems to have been abandoned in the current Edo State situation.

The group’s statement further criticised Obi for prioritising partisanship over the principles of justice and equity.

It questioned why Obi, who previously received endorsements from various regional and ethnic groups for his stance on fairness, now appears to disregard similar calls in Edo State.

Edobor urged Obi to reconsider his position and align with the calls from the Edo People for justice, equity, and fairness, rather than allowing partisanship to dictate his actions.

The statement read: “All over the world politics comes with certain incontrovertible demands and such demands are more strident in democracies. There are calls/demands for competency, capacity, commitment to the common good, credibility, and character, and there are those of Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusiveness. Even in the recent choice of Tim Walz as vice presidential candidate to Kamala Harris over Josh Shapiro, the fact that Kamala Harris is married to a Jewish American and that Josh Shapiro the Governor of Pennsylvania is Jewish was a deciding factor.”

“In Peter Obi’s 2022/2023 Presidential Campaign Council, there was the reflection of balance on account of Religion and Region. Even the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges the Federal Character normative. For the reflection of justice, equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in his campaign council, Peter Obi chose someone from the southwest as campaign DG, Doyin Okupe, even when he became muddled in some ex-convict controversy and excused himself, Peter Obi did not elevate Eseloke Obaze the Deputy DG to DG but still insisted on another Yoruba man, Dr Akin Oshotokun as his replacement. But for partisanship such deep values that work for balance mean nothing anymore to Peter Gregory Obi. What more defines hypocrisy?”

“When Peter Obi wanted to appoint a lead spokesperson for his campaign, he had better orators and proficient speakers in Kenneth Okonkwo and Dele Farotinmi, but he chose Dr. Yunusa Tanko because he wanted a reflection of Religion and Region, he wanted a sense of balance and inclusion. What he considered right for his campaign, he doesn’t consider right for Edo State. What more defines insincerity?”

“Peter Obi’s candidacy was endorsed by the South-South Forum PANDEF, it was endorsed by Afenifere, it was endorsed by The Middle Belt Forum, and by Ohanaeze all on the call for Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusion. Peter Obi cannot deny that. Why does he not think that Edo Central deserves Equity, Justice, and Fairness? Why does Partisanship, or selfish ambition blind him to the call of the Edo people for justice, equity, and fairness?

“Citizen Peter Obi has shown wanton hypocrisy and insincerity in his choice of Partisanship over Justice, Equity and Fairness in Edo State. He has thrown under the bus the values that stand him out, however, the Edo voters will reject him and his candidate because Edo prides in justice, equity, and fairness.”

“Come September 21, 2024, go and vote for the ticket that guarantees prosperity for all. Vote for Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie, it is the most Competent Ticket, and it is the Ticket of Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusion.”

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