Why I won Edo APC primaries —Obaseki

GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said he won last Saturday’s primaries of the party because he was able to form a bond with the delegates of the party.

Fielding questions from journalists during an interview in Benin on Wednesday, Obaseki said nobody gave him any chance of winning the APC primaries, adding that he had to come up with a plan to help him achieve victory on Saturday.

He said “The attitude made me sit back and come up with a plan to start meeting with each delegate in every ward in the 18 local government areas of the state. When Governor Oshiomhole cast his lot with me, people tagged it imposition. But imposition cannot take place when democracy is about choice.

“Since most people recognised me, it was easier for them to vote for me when they saw my photograph on the ballot paper. I ran the delegates’ election like a full blown election.”

Speaking on efforts to reconcile with some of his co-contestants at the primaries, Obaseki said he had already met with the state Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd).

He said he would soon meet with other co-contestants to achieve total reconciliation for the APC ahead of the September 10 election.

The APC governorship candidate, while welcoming his PDP counterpart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on board, advised that they should conduct their campaigns in a civilised manner adding “in my campaign, my duty is to convince the Edo people why I am the better candidate.”

He disclosed that the issue of his running mate would be decided by the party at the appropriate time.

On what he would do if elected, Obaseki said he would use technology to run government to create efficiency and save cost.

“My administration will create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and create employment.

“I will introduce the Lagos model where I will focus on governance and allow others to manage politics,” Obaseki said, promising to expand agriculture and employ more people into the state’s civil service.