Edo APC Picks Obaseki, as Uncertainty Beclouds PDP’s Guber Nomination

Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Saturday emerged the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Edo State ahead of the September 10 election to choose a successor to Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Obaseki beat 11 other contestants to pick the ticket of the state’s ruling party in the governorship primaries whose run-up was mostly tense.

 But in the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, there was considerable uncertainty at the weekend about the party’s participation in the governorship election. This followed an escalation of the party’s leadership crisis, as the two men who laid claim to its headship readied to send different electoral panels to the state for the party’s governorship primaries scheduled to hold tomorrow. And the Independent National Electoral Commission said yesterday that it had “not recognised any of the factions” or taken a position on the PDP crisis.

Obaseki polled 1,608 votes. The other aspirants that took part in the APC governorship primaries were Dr. Pius Odubu (the deputy governor), Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Kenneth Imansuangbon, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, Prof. Ebegue Amadasun, Austin Emua, Comrade Peter Esele, Justina Agbara, Blessing Agbomhere, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, and Arigbe Osula

A total of 2,582 delegates were accredited to vote at the primary election that was conducted by an electoral committee constituted by the national headquarters of APC, headed by Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari.

There was a frenetic pitch of activity in the camps of the various aspirants as they jostled for the endorsement of the delegates till the very last moment before the primary election. As early as 5:30am yesterday, heavily armed security operatives, made up of riot police, men of the Department of State Security, and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed at strategic routes leading to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, venue of the delegates election. Motorists were diverted to other routes.

The delegates queued at different locations according to the three senatorial districts in the state and were accredited before the commencement of voting. The delegates from Edo Central senatorial zone were accredited at the George Idah Primary School on Ihama Road, Government Reservation, and their counterparts from Edo North did theirs at Imaguero Secondary School on Sapele road. The Edo South delegates did their accreditation at Agbado Primary School along Akpakpva road.

Security was tight at the three accreditation centres. But as at 8.30am, when THISDAY visited George Idah Primary School, venue for Edo Central delegates, officials for the accreditation were yet to arrive with the materials. However, the exercise commenced early at Agbado Primary School.

It was gathered that the Masari-led committee adopted the scattered process for easy control of the crowds and to save time.

Accredited delegates were conveyed from the accreditation centres to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where the voting commenced about 5.15pm following the arrival of the electoral committee members about 4.59pm.

Speaking before the commencement of the election, Masari said his team arrived Edo State on Friday and had met with all the aspirants, the APC National Working Committee, and the state executive committee members of the party. The guidelines for the primary election were formally read out to all the stakeholders.

Masari stated, “We promised to be fair and just to all as umpires. The interest of the state should be the motive for the contest. We have advised the contestants.”

Meanwhile, INEC said it was yet to decide on the crisis rocking PDP. Chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, told THISDAY last night that the commission was still observing the situation and will at the appropriate time make its position known.

“The truth of the matter is that INEC has not taken any position,” Oyekanmi said by telephone. “INEC has not recognised any of the factions as at today. When we do, we will issue a public statement and we will state why we are recognising any of the factions. But as of today, INEC has not recognised any PDP group. Our prayer is that the warring parties will reconcile as soon as possible.”

The forgery suit initiated by the Federal Government against Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has described as a witch-hunt with the intention of not only embarrassing the National Assembly leaders but to also silence the opposition, and cripple the institution of the Senate.

A pro-democracy group, Centre for the Advancement of Literacy and Leadership (CALL) in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mazi Bismarck Oji and made available to newsmen in Enugu also described the recently reported letter by the Police inviting Ekweremadu and some leaders of the Senate for interrogation over alleged forgery of Senate Standing Orders 2011 as mischievous.

 The group recalled that the Assistant Force Public Relations Officer (AFPRO), Mr. Abayomi Shogunle, told newsmen at the Force Headquarters on July 6, 2015 that although the police team met with the ex-Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa, they neither invited nor interrogated Ekweremadu.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second-half penalty as Portugal stumbled to a second straight draw at Euro 2016 on Saturday after a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Group F rivals Austria in Paris.

Ronaldo set a new Portuguese record with his 128th international cap, surpassing the mark previously shared with Luis Figo, but the occasion will be better remembered for the Real Madrid superstar hitting the post with a 79th-minute penalty.

Hungary, who salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw with Iceland, are the surprise group leaders with a game to play, while Austria must win their final match to avoid exiting prematurely.

Coach Fernando Santos sought to reinvigorate his team after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Iceland, drafting in Ricardo Quaresma to form an attacking trident with Ronaldo and Nani.

 William Carvalho was handed a start in central midfield, while Austria coach Marcel Koller made three changes, two enforced, with Sebastian Prodl, Stefan Ilsanker and Marcel Sabitzer all coming into the side beaten 2-0 by Hungary on Tuesday.

Austria showed early signs of promise, much like in their opener against Hungary, carving out a chance when a leaping Martin Harnik nodded Sabitzer’s whipped cross just wide.

But Portugal settled quickly, with Nani denied his second goal of the tournament by the outstretched leg of Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer after breaking in behind centre-back Prodl.

Almer tipped a long-range strike from Vieirinha behind, while Ronaldo spurned a glorious opportunity to write his name into the history books on 22 minutes as he steered wide from Raphael Guerreiro’s cut-back inside the area.

Portugal remained the dominant side and nearly reaped their reward just before the half-hour, only for Nani’s header from Andre Gomes’ left-wing cross to crash back off the post with Joao Moutinho drilling the rebound over.

Ronaldo then helped on a Quaresma header straight at Almer and Vieirinha needed to make an important clearance to keep David Alaba’s driven free-kick from finding Harnik at the far post.

Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio parried away a stinging drive from Ilsanker within seconds of the restart, but Portugal soon reasserted their authority with Ronaldo leading the charge.

His thunderous left-footed strike from the edge of the area was turned behind by Almer, and the ensuing corner produced a similar result with the Austria keeper beating away Ronaldo’s downward header.

Then with 11 minutes to go it appeared Portugal would get the goal their display merited when they were awarded a penalty after Martin Hinteregger wrestled Ronaldo to the ground.

But the three-time World Player of the Year was left shaking his head in disbelief as he smacked the ball against the base of the post to ensure his wait for a goal at a fourth European Championship finals goes on.