Fresh crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s succession plan.
The State Executive Committee of the chapter is polarised by the plan, which its Publicity Secretary, Vasco Ogie, said is devoid of equity and justice.
Ogie said in a statement yesterday that the next governorship primary will determine the survival of the chapter.
He urged governorship aspirants to brace up for the exercise, following the release of the guidelines for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, he alerted the aspirants to the governor’s style, which he insisted, is devoid of equity and justice.
Ogie’s comments underscore the gravity of disunity in the Edo PDP and the tension between members loyal to the governor and those loyal to Dan Orbih, who is an associate of Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But, Obaseki, who appears to have increasingly consolidated his hold on the party, has refrained from joining issues with party officers opposed to his leadership.
Ogie assured aspirants of a free and fair shadow poll, which will be conducted by after the release of primary guidelines by the National Working Committee (NWC).
The statement reads: “The Edo chapter of PDP wishes to inform the general public and teeming supporters that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable for the conduct of the Governorship election in Edo State in 2024. We call on all our intending aspirants to take note of the timelines of activities.
“On Friday 29th September 2023, the Governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki addressed journalists and expressed his desire to “finish strong” and swear in a successor on November 11th 2024. We politely disagree here and make bold to state that it is the Chief Judge that has the constitutional duty to swear in who will succeed him.
“The governor further stated that, “It is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one”. On this we agree completely with the Governor.
“Our only reservation on this is that he has not exhibited fairness, equity and justice in conducting the affairs of government since his assumption of office.
“We hereby assure Edo people that the ideals of “fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion” mentioned above are the hallmarks of PDP which will not be lost in our quest to nominate a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, from amongst our committed and dedicated Party loyalists who have stood by the Party all these years. Our nominee will be a candidate acceptable to all Edo people. The guidelines of the Party will be strictly adhered to in nominating the candidate.
“While we await the publication of the guidelines for activities from the National Working Committee, we assure all our party faithful that we shall conduct a free and fair process to pick a candidate in February 2024.”
(Nation)
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