The flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 2016, Godwin Obaseki, was absent at the Benson Idahosa University Interactive platform held over the weekend for party candidates to present their manifestoes.
Rather he sent the Director General of his campaign organisation, Mr Austin Osakwe, who was denied an opportunity by the panel at the event to participate in the interactive session, which was the first in the series of such interactive sessions in the state, because he is not the governorship candidate.
Osakwe who said his principal did not shun the event explained to newsmen outside the venue that though he would have loved to be physically present for the event, Obaseki was out of Town.
“I believe that what they have done is the right thing. He is not able to be here today because of exegesis. He has not been in town for the past four days. So he could not make it here today,” Osakwe explained.
However, Vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Ernest Izevbigie frowned at the absence of some of the governorship candidates and others came late to the event saying it does not augur well for persons aspiring to lead a people.
“Every candidate ought to cease every platform available to reach out to Edo people. They should be excited to share, because it provides an opportunity to convince people who are undecided or who are sitting on the fence,” he said.
“The interactive session was designed to create a platform for all the governorship candidates to showcase to Edo people their plans and their vision for the state if they get elected as the State governor.
“It is a unique opportunity for the governorship candidates to showcase their party programs in the best way possible. It is not a forum for criticisms but to show the voting public how well they understand the minds of Edo people.
“The University as an intellectual environment and organized the event as part to its corporate social responsibility and for the candidates to present highlights of their manifestoes and their vision for the state.”
Among the governorship candidates who featured in the event which attracted members of the voting public and students of the Benson Idahosa University community was Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party and Dr Gbajumo Omorogieva of the Social Democratic Party among others.
Story by David Oputah
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