The crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have defied every known human solution. The crisis, rather than abetting seems to be deepening, particularly with the approaching off-season gubernatorial election in the state.
The crisis, which is obviously distracting the administration of Godwin Obaseki, has become somewhat an ill wind that is blowing no well-meaning indigene of the state any good. Although a lot of people and groups claim to have attempted to reconcile the warring parties, what has become the truth is that politicians are feeding fat from the impasse.
The courts have tried their possible best and are still trying, but the warlords have stuck to their guns. Royal fathers have tried their best, to no avail. Some men and women of good will had waded into the matter without resolving it.
The parties in the faceoff had dragged themselves to the highest seat of power in the land- the Presidential Villa, and it is evidently clear that Aso Rock is overwhelmed. With the elections coming, if the crisis remains unresolved there could be wanton destruction of lives and property in the crossfire that may ensue in the struggle for power.
It was perhaps, against this backdrop that some people within the party have decided to go spiritual in the search for solution. Certain members of the state chapter of the party hinted the other day that they were looking at organising a one-day prayer and fasting against those trying to foist anarchy on the state by making the state ungovernable for the incumbent Governor, Obaseki.
The prayer option is being championed by one
Joseph Osagiede, factional publicity secretary of the party in the state, who gave reasons for the prayer and fasting at a press briefing in Benin City, noting that there cannot be meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour.
According to him, “we are also to pray that all those who are trying to make Edo State ungovernable for our Governor, Godwin Obaseki, should have a change of heart, as there can be no meaningful development in a state where there is anarchy.
“Let us therefore, commit the governor and his deputy to the hands of the Most High God for protection and divine wisdom to fulfil the mandate freely given them by Edo people.”
Osagiede however, noted that the party and supporters of the governor should be thankful to God that his detractors had never found any cause to accuse him of corruption.
“Furthermore, we should thank the Lord God for giving us an incorruptible, articulate and masses-oriented governor whose developmental strides are visible to all and sundry even the trouble makers”, he added.
While also noting that the fasting and prayer were against the recent activities of bombings and attacks on individual property in the state, he however, added that governorship tussle does not worth the blood of any Edo person.
But some people have advised the prayer warriors to keep an open mind, by not being in the camp of any of the warring parties, but to adopt the principle of neutrality to enable their prayers ascend to the inner recesses of heaven for the expected answers.
