Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), regrets the feud between Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki and his political godfather and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
It was also on a day leaders of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and APC closed ranks to felicitate with Oyegun except Oshiomhole that was missing.
Oyegun described the hostility between them, apparently over Edo governorship election in 2020, as ridiculous and shameful.
Oyegun said that the state had been in the news for the very wrong reasons of late because the feud seemed to have defied all predictions.
The former APC national chairman who handed over to Oshiomhole spoke when the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, paid him a courtesy visit to mark his 80th birthday.
Oyegun, however, described the impasse as “a disagreement between two friends.”
Oyegun said: “All of us are dancing round the crisis, but we do not know how and what started the conflict between two friends. But for me, I took a point of principle of who the people say is performing. Please, let him continue if the people feel he is doing well.
“I would not allow anybody embarrass me as a Governor. We are in democracy. You have a right to say that you do not like a person, but let the people decide. Quite frankly, what is going on is ridiculous. We are beyond this kind. I am ashamed. Our people have contributed so much to the stability of the State.
“It is unfortunate that Edo State has been in the news for the very wrong reasons. Apart from abusing ourselves, you (Media) owe the nation a great commitment towards making sure that the truth prevail.”
Oyegun, also former governor of Edo state admonished the media to set agenda for good governance by putting the interest of the State above personal interest.
“Do not look at faces. A lot of strange things have happened in Edo State. But, it is clear that the hand of God is in it,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Mrs. Nefishetu Yakubu, said they were there to felicitate with Oyegun on his 80th birthday.
Yakubu who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Enogholase, said the Chapel was committed to ensuring that it performed its role as the watchdog of society as well as set agenda for good governance.
Meanwhile, leaders of the PDP and the APC in Edo State on Monday put partisan politics aside to celebrate Oyegun at 80th.
National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus described Oyegun as a national leader. Secondus led other PDP chieftains to the occasion.
The PDP chieftains include: The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih and other state executives of the PDP.
Oshiomhole was however absent at the event as at press time.
Speaking at a thanksgiving mass held at the Saint Paul Catholic Church, Bishop of Archdiocese of Benin, Rev. Fr. Augustine Akubeze, described Oyegun as one of the few former governors ‘who is living out his faith.’
Father Akubeze said Oyeyun did not join politics to fool the electorate but to convince them.