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…Outsiders hyped party crisis – Obaseki
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Peoples Democratic (PDP), yesterday, conducted ward congresses in Edo State to elect three persons as delegates per ward, who would nominate the party’s candidate at its governorship primary election scheduled for February 22, amid protest in some quarters, including nine of its aspirants.
The nine aspirants had, in their letter to the acting National Chairman, which was copied to the National Vice Chairman South-South of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protested the process and compositions of those to conduct the delegates election.
The petition was signed by Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, Rt. Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm U. Ojezua, Hon. Felix Akhabue, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, Hafia Hadizat Umoru, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Dr. Earl Osaro Onaiwu and Arthur Esene.
Recall that the chairman of the three-man committee for the conduct of the ward congress and governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, had earlier declined the role and stepped down.
In his absence, the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who is said to be the deputy chairman, took charge to conduct the primary.
Addressing party faithful at the George Idah Primary School, Benin City, the collation centre for Ward 2, Mbah commended the large turnout of members of the party.
“This is democracy where our people come to exercise their franchise. We appreciate this turnout. Our party is known for its principles, which are fairness, equity and justice. I want you all to conduct yourselves properly as we hold this election,” admonished.
In Ward 7 at Ugbekun Primary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Dr. Major Itemowe led others to conduct the exercise, while in Oluku Ward, Hon Kunle Koya from Lagos State conducted the exercise.
Speaking to journalists in his Ward 4 collation centre, Idia College, Governor Obaseki, said the crisis in the party was being overhyped and that it would not affect the outcome of the governorship election.
“You can see from the crowd here that it is a lot of success, a huge turn out. We had over 600 people coming out to participate here. Our people are politically aware, we are happy with this turn out to elect delegates for a our gubernatorial primary, and we are also expecting this huge turnout in the main election,” he said.
Commenting on the resignation of Makinde, Obaseki said: “It is unfortunate that Makinde withdrew. There are three governors and he is one of the three, so withdrawing does not really remove the credibility of the process, and it is not just the process. What makes a process credible is the quality of the participation and you can see for yourself, so it is unfortunate that Governor Makinde had to take such a decision, but I hope that all our efforts to continue to unify the party and pacify all players would continue. We are not deterred at all, we are going to make sure that PDP plays its role in the politics of this country.”
The governor also spoke on the non participation of members of the Legacy Coalition of the PDP and said: “You cannot have 100 percent, clearly you can see the crowd here. When we were in the APC before we joined the PDP, we didn’t have these numbers, so clearly, the people we met in the party are still in the party.
“The crisis is hyped, it is not as fundamental as it is made to look on ground. There is very little crisis, the crisis is fanned from outside and our people are smarter than that. You will see during the main election, we are not going to allow ourselves to be sold.”
