The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has urged nine governorship aspirants, who are aggrieved by the conduct of the recent Ward delegates congress, to direct their concerns to the party’s Appeal Panel. The state chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, issued this directive during a press conference in Benin City.
The PDP organized ward delegates congress across the 192 wards in the 18 local governments of Edo State in preparation for the party’s February 22 governorship primary, which will determine the party’s flag bearer for the upcoming September 21 gubernatorial election.
Aziegbemi emphasized that the aggrieved governorship aspirants should seek redress from the Appeal panel set up by the National Working Committee of the party, stating, “The processes put in place for the exercise were transparent, credible, and robust. But if there is anybody that is aggrieved either individually or collectively, the Appeal panel set up by the party is there to protest to.”
Notably, the protesting governorship aspirants include 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.
Aziegbemi cautioned the governorship aspirants to be mindful of their public statements and actions, as these could undermine the integrity of the party. He assured that the party is committed to inclusivity, and Governor Godwin Obaseki is prepared to address the concerns of aggrieved party members.
In a related development, Aziegbemi disclosed that the Peter Mbah-led five-man Ward delegates congress committee had canceled the results of the election in Etsako Central local government area due to the alleged kidnapping of eight electoral officers. However, he clarified that this cancellation would not substantially affect the overall outcome of the exercise across the 18 local government areas.
Aziegbemi explained that during the ward delegates congress, eight electoral officials deployed to Etsako Central local government area were abducted by gunmen, prompting the cancellation of the results for that area. He further noted that the total number of elected delegates for the governorship candidate nomination stands at 594, with 31 delegates from Etsako central local government.
The chairman also revealed that the kidnapped electoral officers have not been released, and Governor Godwin Obaseki has reported the incident to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) zone 5, and the Inspector-General of Police.
