By DADA AYOKHAI
The endless internal crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party was again on full display as the two conflicting statements on the proposed primaries to produce the chairmanship hopefuls created some upheavals among the party faithful.
The members of the party in the state are confused as to which of the two statements accurately captured the party’s stand on the scheduled local government primaries
Penultimate Saturday, the party held its councillorship primaries across the state. The exercise was, however, marred by irregularities and complaints
Regaling in the notion that the first primary is done and dusted, regardless of the perceived irregularities, the party’s state Deputy Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ojeboboh, issued a press statement stating that the chairmanship primaries of the party would go on as scheduled on Wednesday, May 29
A few hours later, the party’s state Publicity Secretary, . Ogie Vasco, released a counter statement to refute the earlier one. Short of calling his deputy a liar, Hon. Vasco described the previous statement as “illegal”, adding that it is at variance with the party’s Constitution
Hon. Vasco, as a matter of emphasis, declared that the relevant organs of the party were yet to sit and deliberate on the local government chairmanship primaries, talk less of fixing a date
.
In a related development, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, embarked on an intense shuttle diplomacy to the trouble spots.
The governor was in the Edo North district where he held a peace parley with critical stakeholders
The majority of those at the party were the aspirants for the chairmanship position as well as notable party leaders.
The parley took place in Jattu, at the country home of the deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The Jattu parley was essentially convened to rub minds with those at the grassroots, to pacify some of the aggrieved members who are up in arms against the party, mend broken trust and fences, and, finally, to forge a united front in which the PDP issues are treated as a family affair
Press Statement
..*we are ready to conduct primaries*
*Edo PDP Chairmanship Primaries to Hold Wednesday May 24, 2023*
This is to bring to the attention of esteemed members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, that all is now set for the party’s Chairmanship Primaries slated for Wednesday May 24, 2023, wherein candidates vying for chairmanship positions in the various local government councils of the state will be elected according to laid down party’s rules and guidelines.
The election is scheduled to hold at various party secretariats situated at the headquarters of each local government area of the state from 10am.
Only the elected ad-hoc delegates elected on Saturday May 20, 2023 are eligible to vote to elect the Chairmanship candidates.
The PDP assures all members of its unalloyed commitment to providing a level playing field for all aspirants and ensuring that the process remains free, fair, transparent and of course credible.
Signed
Dr Bolaji Ojebuobho
Asst. State Publicity Secretary.
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: Edo PDP Chairmanship Primaries to Hold Wednesday May 24, 2023
My attention has been drawn to an illegal statement purportedly issued by an Assistant Publicity Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh, on the conduct of Local Government Chairmanship Election Primaries.
Please note that this said statement should be ignored and disregarded as the constitution of our Party does not permit such illegal statements by an Assistant Publicity Secretary. I advise those behind the illegal statement to consult the relevant sections of the PDP’s constitution for proper guidance. It is also important to note that the relevant and statutory organs of the Party have not met or resolved to fix any dates for Local Government Council elections or Primaries.
It offends our democratic culture to issue such an illegal statement urging members to participate in an illegal exercise and giving less than 24hrs notice.
All Party members are hereby advised to ignore and disregard the said statement credited to Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh.
LONG LIVE THE PDP!
LONG LIVE EDO STATE!
Ogie Vasco,
State Publicity Secretary.
24/05/2023.
