FROM JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, ABUJA
THE Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship aspirants who before now were aggrieved with the outcome of last Saturday primary election, may have agreed to close ranks and support Godwin Obaseki, who emerged winner.
Obaseki who was the preferred candidate of the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole polled 1,608 votes to beat 11 other contestants to be the party’s flag bearer. There were allegations of bribe to buy over delegates for the party’s flag bearer to be chosen at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
The decision to close ranks was reached at a meeting mediated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and other APC leaders.
Those who attended the meeting were the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, former governor of Edo State, Osariemen Osunbor, the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, Hon. Samson Osagie, Ken Imasuagbon and Gen. Charles Airhiabvere among others.
According to some of the aspirants, they decided to close ranks and support Obaseki in order not to lose the only South South APC state to the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).