A faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), has suspended Governor Godwin Obaseki, his deputy, Philip Shaibu; and the Secretary to the State Government, Ogie Osarodion.
This is coming after the suspension of the Ntional chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
At a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Charles Airhiavbere in Benin, the EPM alleged that the governor and others had concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek re-election.
“For us the authentic APC stakeholders in Edo State, we wholeheartedly denounce such. We wish to state that at the appropriate time, the APC National Working Committee will initiate the process of party primaries for the selection of the party’s gubernatorial candidate,” Patrick Ikahriale said on behalf of EPM.
“We will abide by the guidelines for such primaries as the constitution of the party vests the responsibility of conducting primaries on the NWC.
“We are prepared to give every aspirant equal opportunity to test their popularity. We will resist any attempt to close the political space.
“Consequently, we hereby suspend Governor Godwin Obaseki, Hon Phillip Shuaibu and Barr. Osarodion Ogie from the party for anti-party activities and urge the National Working Committee to set the machinery in motion for further disciplinary action against them.”
This comes less than 24 hours after the APC in Edo suspended its national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, over his alleged role in the crisis rocking the state chapter.