A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, has bemoaned the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari from the country at a time the party is conducting primaries in the state.

A video of Imasuagbon in tears inside a commercial aircraft lamenting why Buhari should be ill at this time has gone viral on the internet. On the video, the aspirant is heard saying: “Why is Buhari ill now that I want to win election?”

Imasuagbon who confirmed the contents of the video while speaking with journalists by phone, said what was happening within the Edo State APC was due to Buhari’s absence.

He noted that Buhari’s presence in the country would have stopped the purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and a situation where aspirants were not given equal opportunities.

While accusing Governor Adams Oshiomhole of using state machinery to intimidate delegates, he expressed confidence in the Alhaji Aminu Masari-led committee in conducting free and fair primaries.

“I was crying because those that truncated democracy wanted to shake hands with me,” he explained.

But in a swift reaction, the Edo State governor said: “It’s irresponsible” for Imansuagbon to accuse Oshiomhole of using state resources to finance an aspirant.

A statement by his chief press secretary, Peter Okhiria, said the governor is too prudent to use state resources to finance any aspirant.

He said Oshiomhole didn’t use state resources to finance his own re-election in 2012; he would not do so now that he is not a contestant, adding that Imansuagbon’s outburst was the frustration of a man who knows he has lost even before the first ballot is cast. (Daily Trust)

•Photo shows Kenneth Imasuagbon.