IN the past few days, Edo State has been in the political news for very obvious reasons. As the September 10 governorship  election draws nearer,   the political firmament of the  State is charged. It is, however,  not unexpected as  the main contest  for who becomes the next Governor after Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is certainly happening within the All Progressives Congress (APC).   The ongoing skirmishes notwithstanding, it is instructive that whosoever wins the party’s nomination will   automatically   become the next governor of Edo State because the people have pitched their tent with the APC for good.

There have been   some   unpalatable occurrences these past days which must be stemmed. First , was the   disclosure that the State   Deputy Governor,   Dr. Pius   Odubu’s coordinator, Barr.Humphrey Uanseoje, signed a letter with other governorship aspirants of the party such as Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi,   Barr. Ken Imasuagbon and Barr. Omo Irabor, which they sent to the National Secretariat   of the APC   alleging   plans by the state Chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, to doctor the delegates list for the gubernatorial primary with the backing of the  Governor. The publication undoubtedly did not go down well with the governor and   several other party faithfuls. It was also about the first time, many  political observers in the party would find the deputy governor openly accusing his principal of alleged plot to manipulate the forthcoming party primaries. But the   Governor had hinted of his desire to back one of the many candidates vying for the party’s ticket. But from the letter to the party   national secretariat, it was obvious that Dr. Odubu  was not the aspirant who enjoys the support of the   governor. But, sadly to observers, both men have worked together harmoniously over the past ten years for the common good of the State.

Again, another allegation from the  Governor,  published in Vanguard Newspaper that his Deputy,   Pius Odubu   allegedly contracted native doctors to eliminate him so that Odubu will take over as governor. The Governor said he was informed of the alleged plan by a leader of the party and that he had met with the native doctors whom his deputy allegedly contracted to do the damage, adding that the native doctors admitted and gave him details of how the rituals were executed.

The governor’s disclosure came as a surprise to many APC leaders and members of the public just as it was refuted by the deputy governor who attributed what he described as the spurious allegation to the handiwork of his political enemies bent on causing disaffection between him and the governor. To prove his innocence, Odubu offered to contact a strong traditional doctor in Benin, so that those who accused him will take an oath before the gods. He vehemently denied the allegation and reiterated his loyalty to the governor. He said, as a Catholic faithful, he could not contemplate anything as the plot to poison his boss with juju.

Then came the formal declaration of Odubu of his intention to seek the party’s ticket for September, 2016, election. Following week, he was at Auchi for political activities and he alleged that he was attacked by assassins who were after his life but that the said assassins shot six of his followers. The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kasim Afegbua, however,  dismissed the assassination claim stating that what happened at Auchi was  a shootout between rival political groups   for which the Inspector General of Police , Solomon Arase has raised a high powered team of detectives to investigate.

The political tension in the state later in the week moved   to the State House of Assembly with the impeachment of two principal officers- Speaker, Victor Edoror and his deputy, Mr. Bright Osayande. Again, there were sporadic gun shots at the Edo Assembly and tear gas canisters were fired to disperse hordes of political thugs brought into the House by the lawmakers who appeared prepared for a show down. Although, the reasons given by the new leadership   for their impeachment are high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness, their actions have also sent tongues wagging- even from the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the  State.   The PDP must know that they can not profit from the current misunderstanding in the APC as all the issues would be amicably resolved.

It is, therefore important to emphasise that the major negative factors that have prevented development and stability in our Political dispensation is politics of bitterness. Often times I see politicians killing each other, betraying one another because of political positions or appointments and I wonder: Does politics teach us to destroy one another? Is   polities meant to eradicate integrity and love for one another?

Politicians need to understand and appreciate the ethics and true meaning of politics. The fact that you lost your presidential, governorship or senatorial position should not be reason for hatred and bitterness towards opponents. A true politician should constantly allow ethics in politics to guide his words and actions. It must not be a do or die affair.

The essence of politics is to promote one another, enhance development in our society, promote peace and unity and advance the common good of society. We fail in our political ambitions and positions because of wrong motives in politics.

Our party, the APC is blessed with abundant leaders who can mediate in the current impasse and bring about an amicable solution to all sides. I implore our party elders and leaders to move swiftly to resolve all issues before our party primaries. It is clear that Edo people are waiting for us to get it right and continue to govern the state the way we have done since 2008.

Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the APC, Edo State.