The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party seems to have no end in sight as the party’s congress election in Edo State, on Sunday, generated uproar as nine out of the 11 PDP governorship aspirants boycotted the exercise.
The Congress was conducted to pick delegates that will participate in the party’s February 22 governorship primary.
The nine governorship aspirants, who boycotted the delegates election, were Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, Hafia Hadizat Umoru, Omosede Igbinedion, Dr Earl Osaro Onaiwu and Arthur Esene.
In a protest letter to the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and a copy to the National Vice Chairman South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, the nine aspirants complained about the composition of the committee conducting the delegates election.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who was the chairman of the three-man committee in charge of the Edo delegates election, also withdrew from the exercise.
Speaking on Makinde’s withdrawal, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said it is unfortunate but maintained that that would not undermine the credibility of the exercise, which, he said, witnessed a large turnout of party members
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, when contacted said,” It is publicly known that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, for personal reasons known only to him, resigned as Chairman of the PDP Edo State Ad Hoc Delegate Congress Electoral Committee. We are not aware of any other person who boycotted.”
