Ahead of the September 19 guber poll in Edo State, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Governor Godwin Obaseki, as a dictator who does not appreciate democratic values.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, said Obaseki lacks democratic qualities because he has not been part of any known struggle towards the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
In a sponsored video which was aired on TVC, APC chieftain accused Edo State governor of going against the ideals of democracy by “preventing” some lawmakers of Edo State House of Assembly from being sworn in.
To this end, Tinubu charged electorate in Edo State to reject Obaseki and vote massively for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
According to him, “I want to appeal as a committed democrat and a leader of all democrats to our conscience and commitment to democracy on the forthcoming election in Edo state, to reject Godwin Obaseki.
“I have suffered with many others to bring about this democratic regime that today we are enjoying in the country. Then, Godwin Obaseki didn’t participate in any aspect of the struggle to enshrine democracy in the country.
“Therefore, he could not understand the value and the pains associated with this democratic struggle…
“He demonstrated the act of dictatorship, lack of respect for rule of law, lack of respect for you the people who voted for those legislators prevented from being sworn-in.
“Today, he now comes back as a democrat wanting you to vote for him. Please, I appeal to you, reject him. Like he rejected the 14 members, you should reject him at the polls.”
Ironically, Tinubu was among APC chieftains that campaigned and endorsed Obaseki when he was contesting for the same position for years ago. But, Obaseki had to dump APC for PDP after losing the governorship ticket to Ize-Iyamu.
Idowu Sowunmi
