'Obaseki can’t survive PDP crisis' - APC chieftain declares

A Chieftan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, yesterday, said Governor Godwin Obaseki might not survive the crisis in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Inegbeneki, who stated this in an interview with The Guardian in Benin City, maintained that Edo State still remained a stronghold of the APC, despite the fact that the governor was in the PDP, adding that the party would not hesitate to welcome Obaseki back to the APC.

“People are now defecting from the PDP to the APC because there is a serious crisis in the PDP again. Governor Obaseki has carried the crisis to PDP, which is always full of crises.

“Those who are not comfortable with the crisis in the PDP are now moving to the APC. In future elections, I know APC will be strong again and will reclaim Edo State. I advise Obaseki to return to the APC because it is the party that made him governor.
“The APC groomed him. If he returns, we will be willing to accept him back. We all have learned our lessons. We will accept him if he wants to join the APC. We are not closing our door against any person and so, returning to the APC is the best bet for him,” he stated.

He faulted the governor on his recent onslaught on members of the APC in the state, insisting that the party had remained strong, united, and better prepared for future elections.

Lamenting what he described as Obaseki’s antagonistic tendencies towards APC leaders in the state, Inegbeneki said it was unfortunate that the governor had continued to treat members of APC that groomed him with utmost disdain.
He added that the APC, with its array of persons holding leadership positions, was determined to deliver the party in future elections more than ever, as it was noticeable during the recent ward congress.

Inegbeneki, who is a leader of APC in Edo Central, said the governor should embrace peace and return the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) of the over 18 hectares of land belonging to Osagie Ize-Iyamu, despite the political disagreement between them.