The virtual debate organised by BBC News Pidgin between three contenders for the Governorship seat in Edo State showcased the underlying mistrust between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Ize-Iyamu on Friday.
The debate featured the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Jones Osagiobare of the Young Progressive Party (YPP)
All the parties had turned up for the planned debate, but Obaseki left the debate in the early stages only to surface again when it was about to come to an end.
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As soon as the candidates were introduced by the moderator, Governor Obaseki asked for permission to leave for another meeting and offered to have Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu represent him.
“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.” Obaseki said shortly after being introduced.
“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.”
His co-debater, and opponent in the upcoming election, Pastor Ize Iyamu however disagreed with the Governor and said he did not intend to debate with the Deputy Governor.
In his reaction, 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.”
The reaction did not stop Governor Obaseki from leaving as the moderator was forced to continue the debate with only Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Jones Osagiobare.
An hour later, towards the end of the debate, the Governor surfaced again.
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II had brokered an uneasy truce between the top two contenders for the September 19 election during the week.
The Oba berated both parties for allowing their supporters engage in violence and made them promise to sheath their swords because an election shouldn’t be a do or die affair.