Obaseki Reacts As Makinde Resigns From Edo PDP Governorship Primary

Eko Hot Blog reports that Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Sunday described the resignation of his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, committee for ward congresses in the state as unfortunate.

The six-man-committee was to conduct congresses in the 192 wards across the Edo State to elect delegates that would nominate the party’s candidate for the September 21 governorship election.

PDP has slated its primary for February 22, 2024, ahead of the September 21, governorship election.

Other members of the committee are the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah as vice chairman, Dr Agbu Kefas, Taraba State governor, Hon Marie Ebikan and Hon Pascal Adigwe.

Makinde hinged his resignation on the alleged irregularities on the list of appointed electoral officers.

He also alleged that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly was leading the team of Electoral Officers in his own Local Government Area, Owan West.

Obaseki, who spoke while addressing journalists after the election of three delegates at the PDP Ward Congress election in Ward 4 of Oredo Local Government Area, noted that the resignation of Makinde from the exercise does not affect the credibility of the process.

“It is unfortunate that Makinde withdrew, there are three governors and he is only one of three, so withdrawing does not really remove the credibility of the process and it is not just the process and what makes a process credible is the quality of the participation.

“You can see for yourself. So it is unfortunate that Governor Makinde had to take such 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.

“You can also see from the crowd that the exercise is a huge as regards the turn out. We have over 600 people coming out to participate here, our people are now very politically conscious.

“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.

Obaseki, however, commended the party faithful for coming out enmasse to exercise their franchise in electing delegates for the governorship primary.

The governor, who also spoke on the non participation of members of the Legacy Coalition of the party, noted that no exercise can be hundred per cent successful.

He added that the crisis in the party is overhyped and not as fundamental as people were made to believe

“The crisis in PDP in the state 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 that during the main election, we are not going to allow ourselves to be sold,” he stated

Meanwhile, nine governorship aspirants on the platform of the party also petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja to protest against the composition of the committee to conduct the delegates election.

The aspirants who signed the protest letter are Philip Shaibu the deputy governor of the state, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hajia Hadizat Umoru, Omosede Igbinedion, Earl Osaro Onaiwu and Arthur Esene.

According to Daily Post,  In spite of  Makinde’s resignation from the committee and the protest by nine governorship aspirants, the exercise still held.

At Gorege Idah Primart School, Benin City, some party faithful arrived at the venue of the congress as early as 7 am.

Speaking with newsmen, Victor Enoghama, Special Adviser to the state governor on Political Matters, Edo South Senatorial District, described the exercise as democracy in action.

“This is democracy where our people come to exercise their franchise, we appreciate this turnout, our party is known for its principles which is fairness, equity and justice,” he added.

At 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.

The ward congress is to elect a total of 576 ad-hoc delegates that would elect a governorship candidate for the party on February 22, 2023.

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