Edo Decides 2020: Drama As Obaseki Leaves Debate Halfway To Attend To Other Functions

Drama ensued on Friday as Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki left a Governorship debate to attend to other meetings.

The debate which took place on Friday evening was organized by BBC News Pidgin for candidates in the September 19 Edo State Governorship Election.

Governor Godwin Obaseki who initially joined the debate excused himself from the debate almost immediately it commenced, to attend to another meeting.

Obaseki is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Excusing himself from the debate, Obaseki asked the moderator and his co-panelists to allow his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to continue the debate in his stead.

However, the Governor's excuse triggered the reaction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who said that he would not debate with Shaibu.

Read Also: Edo Decides 2020: APC Accuses Obaseki Of Obtaining N1.5bn Loan To Buy Votes

“First, I wan’ thank una say una invite me come this programme, make we debate among ourselves, make we fit talk wetin we wan do for the people of Edo State.

“But make I first start by apologising. You see, as I dey now, I no dey Benin. I had to travel on emergency this evening come somewhere. And the meeting dey very important. But abi tell una, so my deputy dey on ground. E no get anything wey I dey do wey im no know.

“So, I say out of respect, make I first do this opening round, I will rush go the meeting, and hopefully my deputy go continue,” Obaseki said in pidgin.

Reacting, to Obaseki's plea, Ize-Iyamu said:  “Abeg make I talk small for wetin Governor Obaseki talk. This debate na for governorship candidates, no be wetin den dey delegate. If he no go fit stay, he no go fit stay.

“But say he wan’ comot make im deputy go come dey follow us debate, I no get hand for that one. If he no dey ready, make im no say, he no wan’ debate with us.

“But if he wants to debate, he has to stay but me no go sit down with im deputy. If na deputy own, I go call my deputy make im come talk with im deputy. No be me and im deputy dey debate, na governorship debate.”

Obaseki later left Ize-Iyamu and Jones Osagiobare of the Young Progressives Party to continue with the debate. His deputy, Shaibu, did not, however, feature at the debate but the governor resurfaced after about an hour, towards the end of the debate.