An Edo group called Torgba Family, with branches in Malaysia and New Jersey United States of America, has declared support for Governor Godwin Obaseki-led exodus movement to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki, his deputy, Phillip Shaibu, commissioners and other top functionaries of his government circumstantially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday.
It will be recalled the governor was disqualified from contesting the APCs governorship primaries slated for June 22 over allegation that a screening committee set up by Oshiomhole said University of Ibadan issued him two certificates as against one.
Edo indigenes in New Jersey, declaring their support for Obaseki’s re-election.
It also said that he could not have been issued degree certificate with three credits and three passes without an HSC, which his alma mater, the University of Ibadan confirmed, saying Obaseki not only graduated from the institution but also that he was issued one degree certificate and not two.
It added that the APC leadership should tell the world where it saw the information it passed about it issuing two certificate against one to a graduate of the institution.
The APC leadership went ahead to disqualify the governor and the disqualification upheld by the appeals committee of the party with comment that even the NYSC certificate he submitted has defects without measure to correct same.
Obaseki has thrown all his certificates from West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) results, his HSC, first degree and NYSC discharge certificates. Against APC information that the Obasek as against Obaseki written on his NYSC certificate without evidence of correction, the governor also threw open even the letter from NYSC in 2008 which serves as evidence that the correction was actually made to the omission to his name.
To this end, Edo indigenes in Malaysia and New Jersey, United State of America, rallied in support of the governor at their respective bases saying they support his movement from APC to PDP.
They made their submissions one after the other as watched in the two video clips obtained by The DEFENDER.
In Malaysia, the rally started with repeated slogan “Oba Ato Paye” and others chorused “Ise”.
They were all clad in white t-shirt in which inscription “EDO’S IN MALAYSIA” and bold photograph of Governor Godwin Obaseki are printed.
“We are the Aminu Kano Talakawas. We are here to support our great amiable governor, Governor Obaseki.
“We say NO…Caputo rita dameta to agbero! Caputo rita dameta CDA! Caputo rita dameta to agberoism! We say no to agberoism! We say no to godfatherism! We say welcome to development!
“See great men here from Edo State. We say no to godfatherism. 4 + 4!” The first speaker declared and the chorus sounded “Ogba!”
Others took their respective turns. They said they were not at the rally as politicians’but as Edo indigenes who in support of Governor Obaseki.
They said their main interest is to tell the the politicians to do what is best for Edo as they cannot go for less.
They were specific, saying Obaseki must continue and declared their support for his exodus movement to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Those in New Jersey who were largely clad in black and other assorted colours, said “We have a special son for Edo State godfather Adams Oshiomhole” and they sang “under the mango tree” with an interjection: “Do you know Oshiomhole suspended Obaseki from APC? Because he refused to share money.” And they continued their jesting song.
The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a new dimension following the controversy surrounding the membership status of the suspended APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
This follows the conflicting declarations by the APC executive members of Ward 10 in Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA) on his suspension.
Earlier, the ward secretary, Emuakemeh Sule, told reporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja that the executive members reviewed Oshiomholes suspension and decided to lift it in the interest of peace.
He claimed that 17 out of the 27 officials of the ward who signed the suspension order were in agreement with the decision to lift the suspension.
But, during an interview with Channels Television on Saturday, the ward chairman, Mr. Stephen Oshawo, insisted that the embattled former governor remained suspended from the party.
He faulted the group of ward officials who said that they have lifted the suspension on Oshiomhole, stressing that no decision of such was taken.
According to Oshawo, no other member of Ward 10 in Etsako West LG is qualified to make any such pronouncement.
He added that the executives of the party at the ward were still together, saying nobody has left for another party or another group within the APC.
