PDP Aspirants Resist Pressure to Step down for Edo Governor
The Peoples Democratic Party is having a tough time in trying to get Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to emerge unopposed during its primary slated for tomorrow.
However, Obaseki’s defection, after a series of negotiations with the party leadership, w turned out to be a game changer, which prompted the party to delay the primary by three days. In furtherance of the bid to persuade the trio to step them for Obaseki, some governors of PDP-controlled states, led by Okowa, and the party’s National Assembly lawmakers arrived in Benin City yesterday, to join forces with the state chapter of the party to persuade the three governorship aspirants, including Ikhine, to step down in the overall interest of the party.
“Action by those calling for a stepdown must be condemned by all; it is wicked and undemocratic. The military can’t do this; we don’t have democracy in Nigeria, what we have is autocracy. There is no morality in all this. He can’t push my dream of 16 years away. Thank God for the position of Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare 11 who said he needs peace to prevail and that there should be no godfatherism,” he added.
THISDAY gathered that the main purpose of the meeting was for Wike to prevail on the immediate past Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, to prevail on his associates in the governorship race to step down for Obaseki. Wike and Orbih have very close ties. THISDAY gathered that Imasuagbon and Ikhine demanded a concrete agreement that the governorship slot in 2024 should be a non-negotiable deal and that the PDP Edo Central senatorial district should produce the governorship candidate
Orbih is seen as a political leader in the zone in the capacity of a former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, the late Chief Tony Anenih. Meanwhile, no fewer than 10,000 members of the APC in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, on Saturday defected to the PDP to join Obaseki and Shuaibu in the party.
Other members of the committee are the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde; the Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Bello Mattawale and Senator Uche Ekwunife. “By the decision of the NWC to grant your application for waiver, you can continue to discharge your official duties as the Deputy National Secretary while pursuing your political campaign activities. On behalf of NWC please accept our best wishes.”
Mustapha added: “Just like Giadom, Chief Moghalu came back as National Auditor when he lost the primary election of the party in Anambra State.” The resumption letter signed by the former Director of Administration read: “Resumption of office as Acting National Secretary: “I write to convey the resolution by the National Working Committee reached at its 37 regular meeting of 24 May, 2019 accepting your request to resume office following the conclusion of the 2019 general elections, which you were granted waiver to contest as governorship running mate for Rivers State.
A statement by Livingstone Wechie, Media Adviser to the Rivers State Acting Chairman of APC, Hon. Igo Aguma, said a fact-finding committee of the party recommended Gaidom’s suspension from the party. The committee, in a statement by its Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said voting would commence simultaneously by 8am at the 192 wards in the state, and not more than 18 persons would be allowed to gather at the same time from the commencement of voting till the end of the exercise when results would be announced.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Edo 2020: PDP reopens screening of aspirants - The NationThe National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it has approved that the party screening committee..
Read more »
Edo: PDP to screen Obaseki, other aspirants - Daily Post NigeriaThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it has approved the continuation of screening of aspirants for the Edo governorship election. The announcement
Read more »
Edo Guber: PDP Governors react as Obaseki joins party from APC - Daily Post NigeriaThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has assured the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his supporters that they will be provided
Read more »
Edo 2020: Intrigues render APC, PDP tickets high riskFOLLOWING Friday's formal defection of Governor Godwin Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the picture of the grand battle
Read more »
For Edo election, here's what to know about APC's three aspirantsNo fewer than six members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have shown interest in the governorship ticket of the party.
Read more »