By Iduozee Paul, Benin
The chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has described the ongoing rift between APC national chairman Adams Aliu Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki as unfortunate stressing it has given PDP the chance to take over power from the APC in the coming 2020 Edo governorship election.
Chief Raymond Dokpesi also denied leaving the PDP for APC and assured he is still a PDP member. He made the assertion during a consultative meeting he had with wards and local government executive members in Etsako East Local Government Council of Edo State.
Dokpesi said: “The fight between Comrade Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki is an APC fight. I don’t have much to say about the fight. But, it is unfortunate that the rift resulted to the level we see it. This will make PDP to plan and take over power in Edo State in 2020 polls.
“You know Adams Oshiomhole is from Edo North and I am from Edo North, Obaseki is my governor. So, I don’t really want to talk much on the issue. I came here to assure the people against the allegation that I have abandoned PDP. I am still fully a member of PDP.
“There is nothing that will make me to go to APC. What I believe in PDP is the principle and values of how the party should be managed, governed and how to bring development and progress to the people and the party.”
According to him, those are missing values in the APC.
“For me, I have not seen those values in APC, and I have no cause to go to APC for now. The consultative meeting ends well. Is only few people that moved to APC for their personal reasons and majority of the people are still PDP,” he stated.
Speaking on whether the defection of Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu, would affect PDP, Dokpesi said iy is not going to affect the party. He said there are more vibrant, competent and intelligent persons that will fly the party flag in the 2020 election better than Osagie.
“Since the defection of Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu leaders of the party in the state have been meeting and planning on how to take over power from APC come 2020. We are conscious of this, and we will look for the best and competent candidate that will flag the PDP umbrella in 2020. We are looking forward to seeing the progress of the party. The defection of Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu will not affect our chance,” he added.
Also commenting, the PDP leader in Etasko East Local Government Area, Chief Alabi Oshogwemoh, said the essence of the consultative meeting was to re-strategize and re-brand the party at the local government , zonal and state levels.
He said he has no doubt in his mind that PDP will take over the state in 2020, explaining that that is why the party is working assiduously hard to make sure all PDP members come together to produce a candidate that can deliver and move the party forward.
Chief Oshogwemoh asserted Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu’s defection will not affect PDP, adding that what PDP needs is somebody who can deliver and win the election for the party.
According to him, with the fight between Oshiomhole and Obaseki in the state, PDP is optimistic of winning the governorship elections.
