- Says APC can’t afford to go into 2024 Governorship election as divided house
By Iramofu OGB, Abuja
Ahead of the Governorship election in Edo state on September 24th, 2024, the former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Samson Osagie has advised leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to do away with the evil of entitlement mentality that has fast eaten deep into the psyche of the party thereby preventing it from making progress in the state after loosing its strong hold to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Osagie made this observation in a paper he delived at a one day conference organised by the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in collaboration with the Hon. Pius Alile Coalition Initiative, (PACI) held in Elora Royal Hall in Benin stating that the party suffered an unprecedented hard time owing to Governor Obaseki’s uncomplimentary treatment of party leaders and members leading to his exit from the party.
“It will be a colossal waste of time and effort to dwell on Godwin Obaseki’s misadventures in the party and Edo State politics and governance”.
Dr. Osagie narrated that parts of the factors that have impeded the chances of the party from lunching itself in the state after he lost to the current Governor Godwin Obaseki was because of the near lost of party structure in the state saying this has affected the party in no small way.
He said the theme of this conference presents an opportunity to carry out a post Mortem on the party’s activities and fortunes in recent elections stressing that all hasn’t been bad news for the party as a section of the state have continued to defend the interest of the party and produced winning results, that is Edo North Senatorial District.
Hon. Osagie said further that Edo Central District has been known as the exclusive district of the PDP (until 2023 general elections), carpeting the APC in Edo South Senatorial District noting that since 2015 APC has consistently lost woefully in national and state elections (with the exception of a few seats in the Edo State House of Assembly in 2019).
He said: ” First is the near absence of a viable and respectable leadership structure that ought to constantly galvanize party members and its structures towards a coordinated approach to elections. What has happened in recent elections particularly in Edo South Senatorial District is that members and leaders are in their factional cells struggling to undo one another rather than pursuing a common purpose. This has resulted in unbridled hatred, bad blood and unhealthy rivalry among and between party members and leaders.
” This state of affairs has done so much harm to party cohesion and unity of purpose.It is therefore hoped that the recent decision of the State Caucus of the party under the leadership of the National Leader of the Party- Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint the former Deputy Governor of Edo State Rt. Hon. Dr. Pius Egberanmmwen Odubu as the Political Leader of Edo South Senatorial District in the APC will usher in a new era of responsible leadership and followership in the district.
” The era of distrust and hostility must give way to a new beginning of trust, mutual respect, forgiveness, collaboration, cooperation, and friendship for the overall health and success of the party as we approach the next critical election.
Secondly, it is important for information to be timely disseminated to the grassroots. This has been lacking in the APC in the State. The practice of carrying out last minute damage control cannot work with the membership of the party who waits to no avail for developments in the party until elections are around the corner.
” Since the party is not in government, those who are elected into public offices including those in appointive positions across the State should endeavor to ensure constant meetings of the party at both the wards and unit levels to galvanize party members and supporters. This is very crucial to the mobilization of the citizens towards voting for the party in future elections.
Thirdly, the incident of sabotage has become a common phenomenon in the party.
” Although, many members and leaders have been wrongly accused of working against the party during elections, as a direct victim of this unpatriotic act I can say with every sense of responsibility that certain party members and leaders do play roles detrimental to the success of the party during elections. A number of reasons are responsible for this phenomenon.
” Amongst which are monetary inducements by other parties or their candidates, the character and attitude of the party’s candidate, the flawed process of party primaries and unhealthy factionalization among party members and leaders. Many a times when issues arising from primaries and party congresses are not properly settled or the parties involved are recalcitrant and unyielding, they transfer the aggression to the election and work against the party.
” Members and leaders are advised to view political contest as a game rather than an entitlement scheme. Party leaders and officials must also endeavor to ensure that party primaries and congresses are less rancorous so that those who are unable to win the contest will find it easy to accept the outcome. In this way settlement of post congresses and primaries disputes will be easier and more impactful”, he stated.
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