Edo guber: No strong opponent against Obaseki – Wike

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for Edo State gubernatorial election, says Godwin Obaseki, his counterpart seeking re-election, has no strong opponent.

Mr Wike, according to Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, made the remarks on a live television programme in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

“Adams Oshiomhole told Edo people that Ize-Iyamu (Edo APC governorship candidate) was rusticated from school; that he poured acid on a fellow student that destroyed his manhood,” Mr Nsirim in a statement, quoted his principal as saying.

“Adams Oshiomole’s sudden U-turn is a great insult on Edo people. This is an opportunity for Edo people, both at home and in the diaspora, to use their votes to tell Oshiomole they cannot take his lies anymore.

“From all indications, it is obvious that there is no strong opposition against Obaseki and he will win convincingly,” the governor said.

APC KICKS

By the remarks, the All Progressive Congress (APC) says the PDP has concluded plans to ensure the contest, scheduled for September 19, turned violent.

“According to reliable data sourced from Peace Map, political violence in Rivers State steadily increased beginning in January 2015, peaking in the lead-up and aftermath of the April gubernatorial elections and this was due largely to the violent attitude of Nyesom Wike, who once infamously attended a campaign event wielding a machete,” John Mayaki, the Edo State APC spokesman, said in a statement.

“In Edo State, we have seen the same trait. There is a persistent problem in the violent, dishonest, and generally deplorable conduct of the rejected PDP, which poses a great threat to the peaceful conduct of the September 19 election,” the party added.