EDO 2016: Alleged plot to kill Oshiomhole lingers, deputy formally enters gov. race

The politics of Edo State charged up, last week, following the revelation that emanated after a peace meeting between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu. The governor had, at the meeting, alleged that his deputy contracted native doctors to kill him. But his deputy denied the allegation vehemently, asserting that it was masterminded by people who wanted to destroy the cordial relationship between him and his boss over the past seven years.
Odubu is one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the September 10 governorship election in the state. Others battling for the APC ticket include Mr Chris Ogienmwonyi, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, former Governor Osarhiemen Osunbor, Comrade Peter Esele and Prof. Frederick Ebegue Amadasun.

Odubu and his boss had enjoyed smooth relationship since they came on board in 2008 until recently. As a matter of fact, during the re-election of Oshiomhole in 2012, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was in the then ACN, kicked against Oshiomhole’s idea to return Odubu as deputy for second term, but Oshiomhole, in collaboration with members of the Edo in Safe Hands, led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, came to Odubu’s rescue and subdued Ize-Iyamu. Odubu has been a close political ally of Oshiomhole and it was, as a result of that, that the news of alleged attempt to harm the governor through diabolical means hit the people of the state like whirl-wind. As a result of the allegation, Odubu was summoned, last Monday, by the priests of Catholic Church where he worships, to a morning Mass to explain the situation. He told the congregation the allegation was unfounded as it was politically motivated to create crisis between him and the governor, particularly when he is in the race for the governorship ticket of the APC. After listening to his explanation, he was given a rousing ovation.

However, on Monday, April 25, Odubu, in a statement, described the allegation of the plan to eliminate the governor as the figment of the imagination of his political opponents, stressing that he had no problem with his boss. His statement read: “The attention of the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, has been drawn to an article in the Vanguard of Sunday, April 24. As 2016, as a practising Catholic, Dr Odubu will not do anything that is unbecoming of a true Christian in the name of politics. God knows that he has never had any pact with any native doctor to kill anyone or avenge for him and he will never condescend to that extent as long as God lives. It is against his faith.

“The Bible teaches that even when the innocent suffers and mischief makers and traducers appear to triumph by their cheap blackmail, it is for God alone to avenge. The Deputy Governor will, by the special grace of God, continue to disappoint the dubious expectations of those who are bent on driving a wedge between him and the Comrade Governor. It is his nature and character to be loyal to those who God has set over him because they are His instruments. At a time like this, blackmailers are at their best but the Deputy Governor has decided to take solace in God who knows the hearts of men, trusting and believing, as always, that God will vindicate the just. He wishes to reiterate that he has no rift with the Comrade Governor who he revers and deeply appreciates”. Odubu, who officially declared his ambition to succeed his boss, last Wednesday, reiterated his loyalty to Oshiomhole, saying his political travails were as a result of his decision to join the governorship race just as he vowed never to step down for any candidate.

However, in a press conference,the Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr Washington Osifo, faulted Odubu’s allegation that he (Oshiomhole) instructed him and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Henry Idahagbon, to write a petition against Odubu to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a view to impeaching him. While asserting that the governor never asked him to petition the EFCC, Osifo said when the Deputy Governor tried to debunk the allegations in newspaper publications, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kelly Odaro, he only addressed the issue of native doctors being hired to kill the governor, and failed to debunk the allegation “made against my person regarding my alleged EFCC petition and impeachment plot against the Deputy Governor”. Osifo recalled that sometime in March 2016, some associates of the Deputy Governor levelled against him the allegation that he sent to the EFCC a petition against Odubu, but that he met with the Deputy Governor to inform him that there was nothing of such and the matter was laid to rest.

“I was therefore embarrassed to hear that the Deputy Governor, during a peace meeting with the governor and some leaders of the party, made that allegation again. I have never in my life at any time whatsoever written any petition against any person to the EFCC. It is important to note that the most worrisome part of this matter is the fact that it also touches on the character and person of the Comrade Governor, as it is falsely stated that we wrote the petition against the Deputy Governor under the instruction of the governor. I boldly state that the Comrade Governor has consistently demonstrated that he is a father to all who will never allow any of his sheep to be devoured no matter the circumstances. I bear testimony to the fact that the Comrade Governor does not belong to the realm of mere men or politicians where destruction of other people to further one’s political interest is the acceptable norm”.

Meanwhile, Edo PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, hailed Odubu for declaring his intention for the governorship race, last Wednesday, saying he had exhibited boldness despite the frosty relationship with his boss. The PDP went on to accuse Oshiomhole of waging war against his deputy due to his preference for Mr Godwin Obaseki as the governorship candidate of the APC. But a chieftain of the PDP, Okharedia Ihimekpen, described the commendation of Odubu as anti-party and urged the leadership of the party to sanction him.

However, while his deputy was declaring his governorship ambition at his campaign office in the GRA, Benin-City, Oshiomhole was inspecting road projects in the state, where old women and men showered prayers of protection on him from any harm from political enemies. Oshiomhole asserted that the prayers of the common people who appreciate the developmental strides of his administration will neutralize and destroy any plot by enemies to kill him. Oshiomhole inspected projects in Igbunaduwa, Upper Siluko, 2nd East Circular and Erediauwa roads. He expressed joy with the progress of work and the quality of work done at the 8 kilometers, underground tunnel with road on top, saying that, despite paucity of funds, God has shown him mercy in the running of the affairs of the state.