POLITICS I AM UNCOMMON ADVOCATE OF PARTY SUPREMACY---HON. DR. OSIFO

 

BY LEO EZEKIEL

Speaking to the members of the fourth estate of the realm at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council Main Auditorium, at the Oba Oguola Press Centre Sir, Dr. Chief Gabriel Osawuru Igbenedion Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State, Hon. Dr. Washington Osa Osifo states that he is an uncommon advocate party supremacy adding that he is not convinced that he should be at war with party that has the platform and as well as whose flag he sought to fly. 

Speaking further he states that he held series of discussions with a number of aspirants where he deftly revived the situations as he did see an arduous path to victory adding that he did choose to suspend his campaigns as a mark of respects and loyalty to the party. 

Speaking again Hon. Dr. Osifo concurred that his political party All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted a largely peaceful primary election on Saturday, February 17^th, 2024 through the direct mode which did enable all card carrying members of the party to vote across the 192 wars of the state. 

He adds that at the end of the primary election, the committee charged with the responsibility of conducting the election, led by the chairman, H.E Senator Hope Uzodenma, the Executive Governor of Imo State did announce Hon. Dennis Idahosa as the winner and the standard flag bearer of the party in the forth coming gubernatorial election of September 21^st, 2024. He adds that the argument about who has the rights to announce result is heavily and largely myopic and casuistic. 

He adds that only four years ago the same Governor Uzodinma played exactly the same role in 2019 and of a truth, no one did raise any questions(s). 

He adds that similar committees have been put together to organize primaries across the republic where the chairmen did announce results. He submits that the National Headquarters of the party will not accept any result relayed by anyone else not assigned to play the role. He submits that Edo State APC Gubernatorial Primary Election result has been duly received and accepted by the National Headquarters and it is a settled issue. 

He submits that he has been actively involved in politics long ago to know that there have been great improvements in the governorship election processes in the various political parties. He largely submits that the political parties are not, yet, substantially driven by ideology, ethos, and traditions which ought to guide the directions of the parties and their candidates. He again submits that the vast majority of party members are not sufficiently informed and enlightened about the parties mission, vision and operations. 

He again concurs that the exercise of Saturday February 17^th, 2024 is not so flawed as painted by some unscrupulous elements and no major party has the capacity to hold a free and fair primary election without the leadership interference. He heavily concurs that he is personally enthused and largely proud of all the former gubernatorial aspirants for the discipline and industry of sticking to issue based campaign during their meetings with the party members. He agrees that they did display maturity and elegance never before seen in Edo Politics. 

He salutes all and goads all and sundry to work for their party and the gubernatorial candidate Hon. Idahosa in the interest of their great party (APC) and Edo Citizenry in general. He notes that the challenge of protestation after elections is not uncommon. He notes that they need to revitalize and utilize all the circuits of power to overcome the steel heated, brutal and hydra headed opponents in the main election.