Edo PDP – Obasanjo never endorsed Oshiomhole

EDO State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday in Benin, said the visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees to Edo State Government House must not be misconstrued as support for Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The party, in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Urhighide, explained that the former President merely transited the Benin Airport en-route Delta State to attend the birthday party of his long-time friend and colleague in the army, Colonel Mike Okwechime.

He said: “As an elder statesman who is versed in official protocol, Chief Obasanjo thought it appropriate to pay a courtesy visit on the governor of Edo State. The visit which lasted for just about ten minutes must not be mistaken by Edo State PDP members and indeed the people of Edo State to mean endorsement for the governor.”

He also said that Oshiomhole was well known to Obasanjo as two-term president of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC,  at the same time that he (Obasanjo) was president,  adding that both men interacted closely at various times during the period.

He noted that Chief Obasanjo, from his past utterances had not been impressed with Oshiomhole as NLC leader, saying: “We are also aware that Chief Obasanjo had never used kind and adulating words to describe Governor Oshomhole and his administration in the past three and a half years. This is not the time he can so do. There is not much we can say on this as Nigerians know better.

“This position will hopefully be made apparent when Chief Obasanjo addresses the people of Edo State at the Presidential Rally to conclude the gubernatorial elections in the state.”