By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—CRISIS has erupted in the Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, as some aggrieved youths of the party accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of using them to win the 2016 governorship election in the state and dumping them later.
A cross-section of delegates at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress, on Saturday in Benin City, May 19, 2018.
The youths also blamed former governor of the state for their predicaments, saying that he “brought us to work for Obaseki.”
The aggrieved youths who were led by Mr Tony Kabaka, a former aide to ex- Governor Adams Oshiomhole, stormed the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in their hundreds to ventilate their anger against the governor.
The youths who threatened to withdraw their support from future engagements, vowed never to be used again by the governor in future elections.
According to their spokesman, Mr Kabaka, “We are here in the NUJ because we don’ want what happened in Ekiti State to happen in Edo State where the outgoing governor neglected all those who worked for him.”
“Those who worked for Obaseki to ensure that he succeeded in the election have been neglected. The first appointment we got from the governor was to be sent to the Prison. We worked for him for continuity in government and to consolidate on the good works of Oshiomhole.
“All the minor and major works in Edo State are giving to outsiders at the expense of the Edo people who brought him into office. For instance, his PA is an outsider, but can any youth from this gets a job from any of the states he is giving appointment to?
The youths lamented that they would have been treated well if they had supported the duo of former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu or Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi during the governorship primaries.
They listed all those politicians in the state by Governor Obaseki into forced political retirements to include Mr Charles Idahosa, Gentleman Amegor, Rev Mike Egharevba, General Charles Airiavbere among others .
Attempt made to get reactions from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Crusoe Osagie and the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Azebamwen at press time failed as they could not be reached.