By  SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN— LOYALISTS of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, and those of the South-South Vice-Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday, disagreed over the claim by loyalists of the deputy governor, that the revered Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, has endorsed Odubu as running mate to Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the forthcoming 2012 governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that the leadership of the ACN in the state had in a unanimous decision, endorsed Governor Oshiomhole for a second term but not with his Deputy. The Ize-Iyamu loyalists of the party in the state had earlier expressed their rejection of Odubu as running mate to Oshiomhole and their decision had created tension in the party.

Continuity agenda

Member representing Orhionmwon South (11) constituency in the state House of Assembly and loyalist of the deputy governor, Mr Ogierhiakhi Osakpamwan, told newsmen in Benin City Monday, that the Benin monarch had endorsed “continuity agenda for Oshiomhole and Odubu.” He therefore commended the royal father for the alleged endorsement.

The lawmaker also alleged that those fighting against the return of Odubu as deputy to Oshiomhole want to go back to the government House through the back door, adding that the plot of those against Odubu was “to impeach Oshiomhole and then swear in their person in his stead and the person will use the vantage position to contest the governorship election in 2016.”

Iro-Igunbor faults claim

But faulting his claims yesterday, Mr Efosa Iro-Igunbor, who led the youths who protested against Odubu last weekend, described the claims by the lawmaker as “nonsensical.” They asked: “When did Ogierhiakhi become the spokesman of our royal father? They should not be dragging the name of our Oba into the politics of the ACN.”

“If Ogierkhiakhia and Odubu are popular why have Odubu not been endorsed in his one community or ward. All we are saying is that Odubu is incompetent to serve as running mate to our Comrade Governor because he has not done any thing to warrant a return ticket. The issue of 2016 governorship they are claiming is just to divert attention, we are talking about performance and it was based on that that we disagreed with them” he stated.