BEVERLY HILLS, June 18, (THEWILL) – One of those jostling for the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo state, Barr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, has bemoaned the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari from the country at a time he (the aspirant) wants to clinch the party’s ticket.
The APC gubernatorial primaries in the South-south state is billed to hold today (Saturday) while the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, had told State House correspondent that the President will be extending his 10 days vacation in London which elapsed on Wednesday to Sunday.
The governorship hopeful, was on Friday heard in a video that went viral in the internet, crying as he asked: “Why is Buhari ill now that I want to win election?”
Confirming the content of the video on phone to newsmen, he expressed his conviction that the President would have made a difference in the conduct of the governorship primary, attributing what was happening within the Edo State APC to Buhari’s absence.
He argued that Buhari’s presence in the country would have stopped the purchase of Permanent Voter Cards, PVC, and a situation where aspirants were denied equal opportunities.
Imasuagbon alleged that Governor Adams Oshiomhole was using state resources to intimidate delegates, but expressed confidence in the ability of the Governor Aminu Masari-led committee to conduct free and fair primaries.
In a swift reaction however, the state Governor said: “It’s irresponsible” for Imansuagbon to accuse him of using state machinery to finance an aspirant.
Oshiomhole, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, averred that he is too prudent to use state finances to sponsor any aspirant.
The statement stressed that Oshiomhole didn’t use state resources to finance his own re-election in 2012; he would not do so now that he is not a contestant.
It added that Imansuagbon’s outburst was the frustration of a man who knows he has lost even before the first ballot is cast.
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