APC leader, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has come out to speak on Edo elections.
The ex Edo State governor shared this when he received lots of PDP supporters from Edo North Senatorial District into the APC recently,
According to him, even if he can't personally vouch for the real intentions of every member of the APC, he can confidently say the overwhelming majority are peace-loving politicians.
He added that APC is not just known for peaceful primaries, their activities are very peaceful as well.
His words, “I think what happened today is the best evidence that not only our primaries, our activities will be peaceful.
That doesn't mean that I'm in a position to vouch for the inner intentions of each and every member of our party however, I'm able to say that the overwhelming majority, 98 per cent of APC members are peace-loving people and we're not about to do primaries for the first time.
We've been doing primaries since 2007 when I became involved in party politics and there has been no incidence of violence during our primaries. We can only build on that tradition.
The beauty of primaries is that it allows you a first-hand feeling of the opinion of your own party members. If your own party members vote for you, you are already 49 per cent through.
If they don’t vote for you then you are not likely to go anywhere. So for any aspirant, I think it is important that we all work hard to have not just a peaceful primary however, one that is fair, transparent and one that represents the feelings of the APC family in Edo state, that I believe is not reinventing the wheel, it is not rocket science; that is our trademark and you should never forget, whatever you think about me, you should never forget I launched one man one vote, I didn’t invent it however, I helped to renew the campaign and to popularise it.
If it is about the survival of the fittest, you will know that I'm not the strongest guy in town so I don’t have any fear at all.”
“Today, there were people, I'm told, who came in the midnight and burned down two vehicles, burned down the podium that was being constructed to be used for the rally and they did that for reasons best known to them.
The fact that they planned that evil did not stop the peaceful rally that we had without any incidence. The people were determined that there must be peace.
If people want peace those who plan violence will not prosper. I know that Edo people have a reputation for peace. In my election on April 14, 2007, PDP activists are on record to have killed three innocent voters at Oba Primary School. I erected a platform in their memory in Ramat Park, Benin City so we're not bloodthirsty people.
There could be few who like violence however, I think the spirit of the overwhelming majority of Edo people will prevail at the end.”
“Chairman is a passing phase, I didn’t join this party to become chairman, I joined this party to contribute to it and to use it to deliver on good governance. It is a pity that APC people will come at 2 am to burn down the facility meant to receive people into the party.
And I think it is a shame for the police to allow people to carry a weapon and destroy things and they walk freely however, for me, I've faith in Nigeria, I've faith in my party, I've faith in our future and I'm very proud of APC youths. I'm very proud of APC leaders, I'm very proud of APC activists.
They own the party, I'm only a steward, I don’t need anybody to remind me that I've tenure. I know it, I've passed through tenured positions several times. As General Secretary of Textile Workers Union, I left, I went to NLC, I exhausted it, I left, I came to governance, I had tenure; four years and eight years and no more, I finished it, nobody needs to tell me that even this one will end.”