Oshiomhole Speaks On Relationship With Obaseki

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has opened up about his relationship with the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

The former Governor of Edo disclosed that he shares a stronger bond wth his successor despite their frosty relationship.

Oshiomhole’s confession comes barely two years after he clashed with Obaski during the electioneering campaign for his second term ticket.

The feud consequently compelled Obaseki to defect from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party, despite efforts put up by some stakeholders to resolve their differences.

The governor , however, defeated Oshiomhole’s anointed candidate and the APC governorship flagbearer, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Despite the media war waged by the camps of Obaseki and Oshiomhole, both politicians were always on their best behaviour every time they ran into each at public functions.

In an interview with The PUNCH on Friday, Oshiomhole said Obaseki remained his close brother and friend, stressing that he has moved on.

The former APC chaiman said he had the honour of working with Obaseki and God using him to ensure that he became his successor. He also recalled fond memories of their time together.

He said, “For me, I have moved on. Obaseki remains my brother and friend. I have had the honour of working with him and God in his infinite power used me to ensure that he became the governor of Edo State.

“Sometimes, God wants us to know that He is the only one that is all-knowing. He is the only one who knows the beginning and the end. When, as human beings, everything seems to add up, we celebrate our intellect. But sometimes, God intervenes just for us to know that we don’t know it all and it is meant to remind us of our limited knowledge of life. He remains my brother and friend.

“When I was governor and he worked under me, my relationship with him was not that of boss and subordinate. He was one of the very few who called me by my nickname. When we travelled together on foreign trips, we didn’t book different suites in a hotel. Instead, we shared the same suite in a hotel but slept in separate rooms. That’s how close we were.”