Politics

Edo 2020: Obaseki Loses Commissioner While Ize-Iyamu Loses Online Polls

The Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki has lost his Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas as the race to the Edo State Government house hots up.

The state Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas, Mr Joseph Ikpea‎, yesterday, resigned his appointment from the cabinet of Governor Godwin Obaseki.‎

In his letter of resignation, dated September 9 and addressed to the governor, Ikpea cited reason of trust, respect and interest for his resignation.

Besides, he said he cannot abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC) he has helped to nurture in his council area and the state in general.

“Politics is all about interest, trust and respect for one another, but I have never seen any of this till date, and am also not sure of it even if I am there till tomorrow.

“Moreover, the party that is known today as APC was brought to Esan South East by me and over 90 percent of my supporters are APC members till date.

“So, it is difficult for me to leave the house that I built. Considering also that this administration didn’t recognise my leadership role”, he said.

Ikpea, however, said he would always be available to provide support to the government whenever called upon to do so.

Recall that two Commissioners had earlier resigned their appointments from the Obaseki’s government to support the candidate of the APC, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

In a related development, the incumbent governor has trounced his APC arch-rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in an online poll organised by Channels Television ahead of the Edo State guber polls.

Mr. Godwin Obaseki, trumped the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osagie Ize-Iyamu by well over 17 points (Obaseki 57.73%; Ize-Iyamu 40.07%), in an online poll conducted by multiple award-winning broadcasting station, CHANNELS Television in partnership with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

The poll, according to the organisers, was put together to enable the general public select their preferred gubernatorial candidates that will feature in the station’s forthcoming debate programme.

Members of the public were asked to vote for the gubernatorial candidates of their choice from among the 14 listed, including Godwin Obaseki, PDP; Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC; Jones Osagiobare YPP; Lucky Osagie Idehen, APGA; Felix Obayangbon, SDP, and nine others.

The poll which lasted over three hours, saw the APC candidate, Ize-Iyamu in an early lead, only to be trounced by Godwin Obaseki, the PDP candidate, who sustained the lead; 57.73% to 40.07%, till the poll closed.

Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, commenting on the poll result, noted that “it reflects Governor Obaseki’s popularity and gives insight into the outcome of September 19 poll.

See screen shots of poll result below: