With the emergence of General Charles Archiabvare as the gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP in July’s governorship election in Edo state, the stage appear set for the political brinkmanship and battle towards undoing Governor Adams Oshiomole and the Action Congress in the state, to commence.
In this interview with a Chieftain of Action Congress in Edo State , Chief Tom Ikimi, he speaks of the challenges posed by the PDP, the chances of the Comrade Governor and the role Edo indigenes will play in deciding the winner.
The emergence of Gen. Charles Archiabvare as the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Edo State is no longer news. Is ACN and Governor Oshiomole not worried because the man is said to be loaded and there are fears he may influence the voters going by the level of poverty in the land and all that?
CHIEF Tom Ikimi, former Foreign Affairs Minister during late General Sani Abacha's regime
Well I understand that the PDP has concluded its convention in Benin City where they have selected one of their aspirants to be a candidate to run in the up coming election in July for the governorship.
Our candidate has not yet been officially chosen but I have every confidence and good hope that Comrade Adams Oshiomole will emerge when the party eventually does its primary. We of the ACN in Edo State have not bothered whoever PDP or any party may bring to contest this election.
As it stands now, Comrade Oshiomole is virtually the house-hold name in Edo State . His support and supporter’s run across party lines and majority of the people who support him don’t even belong to any party.
However, we want a free and fair election which would be conducted on the basis of one man, one vote which would be democratically conducted without any coercion or whatsoever, without any Police coercion or military coercion. Whatever PDP can put forward, it is very clear that Adams Oshiomole will win resoundingly in the first ballot in the coming election.
People have said Governor Oshiomole has worked magic since assumption of office but some are saying others factors may play a role in deciding this matter, including money. Do you believe money politics that would play a huge impact?
It is rather unfortunate that money politics is reigning now in Nigeria . But you can take a horse to the river; you cannot force him to drink. The PDP may pump in as much money as they want but the people will overcome at the end, because they know what they suffered in the previous years of PDP rule.
We have heard of several types of rigging, with all manner of description. Some say it is scientific, some say it is digital and others say it is all about the more you look the less you see. Some people also fear the role of the PDP at the center. How is the ACN in Edo State , planning to counter this?
This election would be between our candidate who is likely to be Comrade Adams Oshiomole and any other candidate. It would not be an election between Comrade Adam Oshiomole against any money bag or against Chief Anenih, the President or anybody. So let the people choose a governor from the candidates that are contesting the election. We have no problem whatsoever, we understand that the only way that PDP under the leadership of Edo State want to pursue the election is on the basis of rigging but our eyes are wide open.
By KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja 
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