Oshiomhole not my godfather, says Edo APC gov aspirant
A member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, who is running for governorship in Edo State, has said that a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, has not assured him of his backing while noting that the former national leader of the party is not his godfather.
Some of the aspirants have accused Oshiomhole of backing Idahosa in the All Progressives Congress primary that will take place on Saturday and have vowed to resist any attempt to impose a candidate on the party.
However, Idahosa said that he visited Oshiomhole to inform him of his ambition just like every other aspirant did, wondering how such a visit could be seen as getting the backing of the former governor of the state.
In an interview with PUNCH Online on Friday, Idahosa said the top rating he enjoyed among the 12 aspirants was a result of hard work, noting that he has won two elections in Ovia despite coming up against the Igbinedion dynasty.
He said he was surprised that the top rating he was enjoying was causing disaffection in his party.
He promised to bring everyone on board if he emerges the party’s candidate.
He also warned those alleging that he was corrupt to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law, adding that he has always served people as a government appointee and two-time House of Representatives member.
He said, “I can tell you that Oshiomhole has not said he is backing me. I only visited him like every other aspirant did to inform him of my ambition. But I started hearing that he has thrown his weight behind me and that Oshiomhole is my godfather.
“I also do not think that my aspiration should cause disaffection among party members. We are all one and we should work for the advancement of the party. I have already proved what I can do by some of the constituency projects I have done for his constituency as a Rep member.”
He said his major concern is to see the APC regain the Government House, which it lost when Governor Godwin Obaseki defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, noting that presenting a formidable candidate will be the first to actualise that ambition.
Idahosa stated that the legislature would consider making legislation that would benefit the people while assuring that the present harsh situation would become history as soon as the policy of the government starts bearing fruits.
He urged party members to come out en mass to vote in Saturday’s election, noting that he would carry everyone along if given the party ticket for the governorship election in September.
