By Efosa Osagie
…Obaseki makes down payment of 1 million USD to support Idahosa for APC ticket
Reports reaching us say the Senator representing Edo North ,Comrade Adams Oshiomohle Thursday struck a political deal with the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, to support Hon. Dennis Idahosa (Denco), the Member representing Ovia in the Nigerian House of Reps, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to our source, in a meeting held with a proxy of Obaseki in Abuja, Oshiomhole assured the Governor that he will be given a soft landing by the Tinubu led-Federal government after November 12th 2024, when he is billed to leave office as Governor. On his part Obaseki committed the sum of one million dollars, which was delivered in cash to Oshiomhole. He also promised to mobilize market women and bus drivers under the aegis of the NURTW, who will pose as APC members during the direct primaries of the party that comes up on the 17th of February 2O24.
Reports further say to forestall the political M.O.U from materializing, Asue Ighodalo, the Governor’s preferred candidate in the PDP had recently approached Oshiomhole during his son’s wedding to show solidarity, but that didn’t go down well with Obaseki. Obaseki also didn’t like the way Ighodalo has been distancing himself from him, whenever he was asked of their close relationship. It is noteworthy that while Oshiomhole entered into the political M.O.U, because of the resistance of Denco by majority of the aspirants in the APC, Obaseki’s reason is not unconnected with the crisis within the PDP over the party’s Congress, which may result in the PDP not having a candidate in the election.
He says Obaseki also promised reverting the name of Edo University from Uzairue to Iyamho. Oshiomhole in consideration of the deal, also allotted 10 slots for Federal appointments to Obaseki, one being an Ambassadorial position.
According to our source, recall that in 1999, the 3 political musketeers of Ogbemudia, Anenih and Igbinedion controlled the politics of Edo State. They had their pawns and puppets in APP and AD, who later joined them in PDP. Fast forward, what we are seeing above is not in any way different. The 3rd person in the equation. Is Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe Rtd. Oshiomhole and Obaseki’s mutual friend Aliko Dangote had reconciled the dou before the end of 2023. This is the reason why Oshiomhole was invited as the special guest of Honour at the November 2023 Alaghodaro event of Obaseki. In what many termed a political volte face, Oshiomhole who was removed as national Chairman by forces loyal to the Governor of Edo State took time out to praise Obaseki and his government. What many do not know is that later that evening after the Alaghodaro event, there was a private meeting between Oshiomhole and Obaseki at the residence of Osarodion Ogie, who happens to be their mutual political protege’. It was at that meeting Obaseki suggested Dennis Idahosa as the possible candidate for the APC.
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