Following Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s defeat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has blamed its loss in the governorship election which was held last weekend, on “avoidable crisis foisted on the party by a selfish, insensitive, arrogant and irresponsible leadership.”

The party’s chairman in the state, Anslem Ojezua who congratulated Governor Obaseki for his victory in the election also stated that steps should be taken to “salvage the wellbeing of their party in the state”.

Ojezua said in the statement;

“We join President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Caretaker Committee of our great Party to congratulate Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt. Hon. Philip Shalbu for their victory at the just concluded Governorship election in Edo state,” the chairman said.

“The election has been generally acclaimed to be peaceful, orderly and transparent. The people of Edo State have made their choice In a very clear and unambiguous manner.

“Our loss at the poll stems from the needless and avoidable crisis foisted on the party by a selfish, insensitive, arrogant and irresponsible leadership.

“While we begin to take steps to try and salvage the well being of our party in the state, we call on the governor to be magnanimous in victory while we urge all those who contested to sheathe their swords and put the elections behind us.

“We must all and close ranks with the government in order to ensure a seamless transition to the final lap of governance in the State without being subjected to any further needless distraction and rancour.

“The establishment of a robust infrastructural base to guarantee economic growth at this critical time must be the paramount consideration and in the best interest of the good people of Edo state.”