Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has accused Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of acting with impunity.
Speaking when he hosted ex-President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Benin city, the state capital, Obaseki said the former president knows the importance of protocol unlike Oshiomhole “who disregards protocol anytime he visits the state”.
“It is really sad that someone who has been governor of the state is visiting the state and does not realise that courtesy demands he should inform the incumbent governor or other government apparatus of his visit.
“He doesn’t inform the chief executive who is in charge of his security when he is in the state. As someone who has served the country, courtesy demands that you inform the governor of the state that you are coming and if you have time during the visit, you can pay him a courtesy call.
“It is really sad and unfortunate that people who have served the state and who should know better behave the way they do, with impunity and lawlessness.”
Earlier, Jonathan said he was in the state to express appreciation to Gabriel Igbinedion, the founder of Igbinedion University, for bestowing on him an honorary degree.
He described his visit to the governor as customary, saying as a former political office holder, it is his duty to pay a courtesy call on the governor or inform him of an impending visit.
He commended Obaseki for “providing impactful and purposeful leadership in the state. Traditionally as someone who has been a president or a senior political office holder, when you go to a state, you have to pay a courtesy call on the chief executive; even if you are free or not, at least you must inform him,” Jonathan said.
The former president said the governor is ”working tirelessly to transform the state”.
Obaseki, who is fighting hard to retain the ticket of the APC for a second term, enjoys the support of notable PDP leaders.
Daisy Danjuma, a member of the PDP board of trustees, and David Umahi, a PDP governor, are among the key opposition figures who have endorsed the Edo governor for a second term.