Mass Resignations Rock Edo PDP Months To Guber Poll

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been embroiled in fresh crisis that have resulted in massive resignation few months to the Governorship election in the state.

Clement Aziegbemi, a cousin of Edo State PDP Chairman Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, tops the list of the latest party chieftains who have withdrawn their membership from the party.

Similarly, a former lawmaker who represented the Etsako East constituency in the State House of Assembly, Abbas Momoh Jega, has also made the decision to exit the party.

Jega, who previously held positions as commissioner for Works and Utilities and commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Development during Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor’s short tenure, was also a prominent figure in the party in Etsako East Local Government Area.

Joining them in leaving the PDP are Monday Ihama, former Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area Council and former PDP State Secretary; Kemi Aimufua, former Chairperson of Ovia South West, former Aspirant for Edo State House of Assembly in Ovia South West constituency, and Assistant Woman Leader of the local government; and A. Adeche, former youth leader of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

Their decision is coming less than four months before the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.

In their resignation letters addressed to their respective ward chairmen, local government chairmen, senatorial leaders, and the party’s state chairman, they cited division and disunity within the party as the main reasons for their departure.

Aziegbemi Blames Ighodalo For Causing The Crisis

In his letter dated May 30, 2024, Aziegbemi mentioned that he left the Party due to the ongoing crisis, emphasizing that the situation had been exacerbated by the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo’s willingness to collaborate with new members rather than those who supported his candidacy.

Aziegbemi, who also served as a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, expressed that the significant defection of members from the PDP is primarily a result of the party’s leadership’s dominating attitude.

He argued that despite their efforts, the leadership failed to involve loyal members in state appointments, leading to their abandonment in favor of new entrants.

“The old PDP members, to whom I belong, have suffered a great deal at the hands of the party leadership and those in government. Both the governor and the party’s candidate have failed to address these issues, begging for attention.

If this ugly development continues, it will be extremely difficult for the party to win any local government seats in Edo State’s September 21, 2024, governorship election.

“Another disturbing issue is the seeming hijack of the PDP governorship candidate by a gang of political jobbers, as against those of us who laboured for him to emerge as the candidate of the Party.

“Kindly consider this as my resignation from every party responsibility, including my position as one of the spokespersons to the governorship candidate. “Also, this serves as a formal resignation as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki,” he said.

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