EDO 2024: ASUE IGHO DALO SHOULD BID FAREWELL, KASSIM AFEGBUA ADVISES; By Linus Itoya, Trendy News

EDO 2024: ASUE IGHO DALO SHOULD BID FAREWELL, KASSIM AFEGBUA ADVISESBy Linus Itoya, Trendy News

Prince Kassim Afegbua, Media Consultant to the APC Governorship Campaign Council, has counseled Asue Ighodalo to concede defeat and withdraw from the forthcoming election in Edo State, following the Federal High Court’s verdict nullifying the PDP delegates’ election in the state.

In a statement titled ‘Edo 2024: PDP’s Fitting Poetic Justice’, Afegbua described the court’s ruling as a “clarion call” for Edo citizens to beware of individuals seeking to impose themselves on the state for selfish interests. He had earlier alerted the state that the PDP primaries were unconstitutional and in discordance with the party’s constitution.

Afegbua praised the courage and uprightness of Justice Ekwo, who delivered the judgment based on the exclusion of 378 delegates. He noted that the verdict restored the sanctity of the nomination process and internal democracy in electoral contests.

The APC campaign council spokesperson emphasized that democracy is an all-inclusive exercise that provides a level playing field for all voters and candidates. He assured the people that Senator Monday Okpebholo would lead with the fear of God and relate solicitously with the people, restoring hope and chasing away economic predators.

Afegbua stated that the PDP must realize that there is no shortcut to Osadebe Avenue and that Asue Ighodalo should decipher the handwriting on the wall and bid farewell to the election. He described Governor Obaseki’s desperation to install his godson as heightening political tension in the state.

The statement read in part: “We had alerted the state before now that the PDP primaries that produced Asue Ighodalo were manifestly unconstitutional and grossly in discordance with the provisions of its own constitution; but because of the desperation and megalomania of Governor Godwin Obaseki, he wasn’t going to let even the law get in his way in his bid to implant his godson, Asue.”Obaseki threw caution to the wind and imposed Asue Ighodalo.

Now those delegates who are statutorily recognized by the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act but excluded from the exercise have proved that they are with their salt.”The Obaseki-led primaries worked from answer to question, manipulating and doctoring the entire process to arrive at a fait accompli. They were too much in a hurry and have now been beaten at their dubious game of manipulation.”Governor Obaseki’s desperation to install his godson indeed heightened the political tension in the state.

The length and breadth of his depravity could not be ascertained by any metric; but the latest verdict by the Federal High Court, Abuja invalidating the dubious primaries of the Peoples’ Democratic Party is a fitting poetic justice.”The 378 validly elected delegates who were disenfranchised during the sham Obaseki so-called primaries have been well served by the law.

Democracies all over the world recognize the use of statutory delegates to nominate a party’s candidate. Bona fide candidates do not emerge by selection or handpicking, as was done by the Obaseki-led PDP orchestra that produced Asue Ighodalo.

“Obaseki, being a petulant man, in his desperation, seared himself from reasoning. This is his trait that has brought Edo to a near kneeling posture today.”We salute the courage, thoroughness, and uprightness of Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court, who painstakingly delivered their judgment based on the exclusion of the 378 delegates. Justice has not only been served but has been seen to be served.”The judgment has restored the sanctity of the nomination process and internal democracy in any electoral contest and also upheld the confidence and trust reposed in the justice system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The PDP must know by now that there is no shortcut to Osadebe Avenue. Asue by now knows that Obaseki is his problem, not his advantage. He is caught in a catch-22 situation. If the PDP desires to govern the state in good faith, they ought to realize from day one that the people and the delegates truly matter.”Imposition of candidates is the hallmark of electoral emperors who think everything is about money and influence. Governor Obaseki has not only become dictatorial and undemocratic, his depravity and desperation have destroyed the very foundation of a healthy political contest which Edo state is known for, sweeping away a few erstwhile good men with him.

“By today’s judgment, Asue Ighodalo, one of the cowboys from Lagos, should be able to decipher the handwriting on the wall. It’s time for him to say goodbye to the election.”