Oshiomhole ‘Begged’ To Join PDP On Two Occasions, Metuh Claims

Adams Oshiomhole

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, begged to join the party on two occasions but was “turned down.”

The allegation is contained in a statement issued in Abuja today by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, who did not say why such a high-profile catch could possibly have been rejected.

Metuh said the governor, who has vanquished the PDP in two governorship contests, made the offer in 2007 and 2012.  He did not provide any evidence, and did not say whether Comrade Oshiomhole made the offer in 2012 before or after the former Labour leader had soundly humbled the PDP in an election that was subsequently commended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He declared that Oshiomhole is governor primarily because of the “unflinching commitment” of the PDP to the rule of law and credible elections, suggesting that the PDP could easily have rigged him out if it wanted.  

Spokesman Metuh, who recently begged news editors in Abuja to suppress negative stories about the PDP, said Governor Oshiomhole “went on all fours” and “came cap in hand” in search of membership of his party, indicating an alternate reality in which the winner begs the loser, and the weaker kneels for the stronger.   

It would be recalled that not only has Oshiomhole resoundingly and repeatedly defeated the PDP in Edo State, the governor has ended the political reign of terror of its leading lights such as “Mr. Fix It” Anthony Anenih; ex-governor, Lucky Igbinedion; and former deputy governor Mike Oghiadomhe, who is now Mr. Jonathan’s Chief of Staff, all of whom have relocated to Abuja.

Oshiomhole’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) also defeated the PDP in last week’s local government contests, an election that seems to deeply rankle the leadership of the PDP.

“When he referred to the PDP as corrupt, it is very needful to remind him that corruption is home to the states under the ACN,” Metuh said.

"Without guessing the disquieting cases of corruption in Edo State, we wish to ask the governor to explain how less than a 7 kilometer  Benin Airport road fraudulently  awarded at six billion naira is yet to be completed after four years  and how six hundred million naira was used to change the roof and repaint  the walls of Idia College in Benin."