The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faced a significant setback in its preparations for the September 21, 2024, governorship race as Mr. Charles Idahosa, a former member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Idahosa had previously joined the PDP in 2020 during the impasse between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Idahosa, who recently resigned from the PDP in Edo State, had previously served as a Political Adviser to Oshiomhole and held positions such as Director of Public Affairs and Commissioner for Information during the PDP administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
Speaking while receiving the leadership of the APC in Edo South Senatorial District in his house alongside his supporters, Idahosa expressed his decision to retrace his steps as a founding member of the APC in the state.
He acknowledged the disagreements within the party four years ago, stating that the APC underwent changes during that period. Idahosa highlighted his previous involvement as a founding member of ACD, ACN, and APC, emphasizing his return to the APC fold.
He also mentioned his nomination to the Board of the Railway during his tenure in the APC and his attempt to resign from the PDP, which was rejected, indicating his wide acceptance within the APC.
“At 71, am not here to contest position with anybody, I am here to work”, Idahosa assured members of the APC and urged them to keep their eyes on the ball, adding “It is not over until it is over.”
Peeved by Governor Obaseki’s comment that those leaving the PDP had been given money and that the party would win 80 percent of the votes in the forthcoming governorship election, Idahosa said the ‘greatest’ thing that would befall the APC was to allow the governor to win again.
“When he came to beg me like a weather-beaten chicken, how much did he give to me? Anytime he goes to a religious gathering, he would say those leaving PDP have been given money. The greatest regret I have is not allowing Obaseki to resign after his first four years in office.
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“He came to me three times in my house to say he wants to resign, that he was tired of being governor, but I appealed to him, telling him it was not about him but Benin interest. Obaseki is suffering from delusion of grandeur by saying that he would win 80 percent of the votes. Where will he get the votes? Idahosa querie
He therefore urged APC members in the state to unite, saying “This is not time for division in the APC, we will return Edo to APC”.
The former PDP chieftain also lashed out at those underrating Senator Monday Okpebholo’s qualification to be governor, saying it was “like underrating Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, who they say didn’t go to school but the first black man to own a Boeing 747, who has trained many graduates and owned a university.”
Speaking earlier, Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the APC, Mr. Lawrence Okah, while introducing Idahosa, said he was a founding member of the party, adding “We are here basically to receive him back home, he went on sabbatical”.
The Edo APC Secretary then called on the Chairman and Secretary of Uhunmwonde Local Government APC to issue the party’s membership card to Idahosa, who he described as “the doyen of Edo South politics”.
In his comment, the former deputy governor of the state and Leader of Edo South APC, Dr. Pius Odubu, said “I am very elated to have our senior brother Hon. Charles Idahosa back, to have a former BoT member of another party join your party is a good catch anytime any day.
“Hon Charles Idahosa was a former commissioner in Edo State, Special Adviser and indeed an integral of the success story of the Adams Oshiomhole administration. So, like he said, there was a little issue, and we went our separate ways, now we are back together, and I tell you in Benin they say when you see hills you know that a river is close by. So, with Chalie Tempo back on board, APC is closer now to the promise land. APC will bring Edo State back to the fold of progressives; he has a large follower and also a large fan base. We are going to harness that even beyond the shores of Uhunmwonde”.
Among those who graced the ceremony were the National Woman Leader of the party, Dr. Mary Alile, House of Representatives member, representing Uhunmwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, Dr. Billy Osawaru and other ranking party members.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE