Attack on PDP Southern Governors, Bigwigs Reason for Defections-PDP Chairman
The caretaker committee chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State Chapter, Dr Tony Aziegbemi has attributed the attack on bigwigs in the party as the reason for mass defection into the opposition party.
He emphasized that the party in the state is very strong and intact, calling on all genuine members to be wary of the antics of a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of the party, but in reality, they are out to destroy the PDP in the South-South region and across the country.
According to Aziegbemi, who made the declaration at a stakeholders meeting of the party in Benin, Edo PDP has remained focused and poised to reclaim its mandate after it was stolen from Asue Ighodalo by the ruling party and would not be distracted by the scheming by enemies from both outside and within.
“Despite the turbulent water the party is passing through at the moment, we will come out victorious and celebrate our victory”
Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate in the September 21 governorship election, in his remark at the stakeholders meeting, assured party leaders and supporters that the mandate, freely and joyfully given to him by the Edo people will be reclaimed by the party.
He said he is ready to go up to the Supreme Court to claim his mandate, pointing out that he, his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, and PDP members in the state would fight the battle to the end despite the verdict of the tribunal.
He also commended the witnesses for being steadfast despite attempts to buy them (the witnesses) money to the tune of N30 million.
He said, “We will fight the battle to the end. Many of our people left their places to come here. All our witnesses have been steadfast. They are being offered a whooping N30m bribe but they persevered and stayed with the party. I thank everyone.
“When we get our mandate, we will start from where people like Lucky Igbinedion stopped. After our eight years in office, everyone will be comfortable except those who are not ready to work.
“The tribunal verdict was not fine. We have gone to appeal. We will pursue the case to the Supreme. We are sure God will intervene. He is just. Let’s be strong and focused despite the things happening around here.
“God is teaching us humility and strength of character because if we had been sworn in after the election, we would have appointed the wrong people. We would have made a big mistake based on the way some party members are decamping.
“As soon as we are sworn in, the reward for loyalty will be key, while Osarodion and I will continue to appreciate you for staying by us.
Ex-Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, in his speech, urged Leaders and supporters of the Party to remain calm and have confidence in the party as the party will continue to be strong, solid, and viable in the state.
The two-term governor of Edo state said those thinking that the PDP will go into oblivion in the state are daydreaming, adding that what the party is going through at present is a phase that would pass away and metamorphose into a new phase that would take the party to greatness.
He said the PDP remains the most organized party in the country today despite the series of wrangling among members, pointing out that despite the party’s internal crisis, the party remains organized and focused.
According to him, PDP still remains
the biggest party in Africa, and in any big family, there is always disagreement, and the ability to resolve such disagreement is always transcended into the greatness of the family. Therefore, we should continue to maintain our faith in the party.
Also speaking, Chief Tom Ikimi, who lauded the commitment of genuine party members, said the only way forward for the country now is the survival of PDP and urged all and sundry to rally around for the main opposition party in the country.
Ikimi noted that the APC was hijacked by some forces who were not working in the interest of Nigerians but desperately working to destroy the PDP, saying, “The only way for the country is the survival of the PDP.”
“My assessment is that the APC was hijacked by some forces and converted into a structure that was not in the best interest of our nation. We are all witnesses of their operations so far and, indeed, the disaster that we are going through. That party is now a collection of people possessing only personal interests.
“Take a look at the United States. When the Republicans do not serve the proper purpose, the Democrats take over, and in the UK, that is the same situation between Labour and the Conservatives.
“Despite the grave difficulties that our country faces today under the APC, it seems that all we are now presented with are just the desperate efforts to destroy the PDP so that the country may become a one-party dictatorship.
” It is very clear to me that the only way forward for our country now is the survival of the PDP. History will certainly be kind to all of you gathered here. With the successful and appropriate adjustments at the highest leadership level, which I see now ongoing, I believe all will be well with the PDP and our country in the not-too-distant future. “Ikimi said.
He added that the party would become stronger after the crisis, saying, “In Edo State, the PDP lost the State in 2007/8. After that loss for about 13 years, it had a rather failed leadership in the state that could not win any elections.
“Thank God some leaders stepped in. Many of them are with us here today and delivered the state back to PDP in 2020. In 2024, as you all know, our distinguished candidate, Barr Asue Ighodalo, with his running mate Barr. Osarodion Ogie won the election, hands down. We are still pursuing the retrieval of their genuine mandate.
“I am confident that in the end, justice will prevail. There are a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of our party, but in reality, they are agents of some other people with incredible personal ambitions. These people have fought to tear down our party during the past four years or so.
” It is now crystal clear that some of them who claimed to lead the party in Edo State from 2007 to 2019 or so spent that whole time working seriously against the party. “he said.
Ikimi, who noted that Edo State is a key state in the South-South Region, said the South-South region had been a key PDP region with all 6 states in PDP for a long time.
He lamented “Unfortunately, once again, we have some persons with personal ambition who are committed to destroying the PDP unity and strength in the South-South region for a mess of portage.
” It was indeed a very welcome development when very recently the Supreme Court ruled that the leadership structure and management of political parties remains the internal affairs of each party.
“The National Working Committee of our party has quite appropriately established caretaker committees to operate the running of our party in states where such structures are necessary which incidentally includes Edo State.
“Recently, there was an illegal conference held in a hotel in Calabar where the group involved claimed they were electing a new PDP South South Exco. To cut a long story short, the NWC had since dissociated itself from the charade. The NWC has since then, established a caretaker committee for the South South led by Hon. Emma Ogidi. The recent activities of members of that illegal group are indeed very highly offensive. “Ikimi stated.
Ikimi, who said that the PDP stakeholders meeting is very important, added that the meeting conveys a very clear message to the country that the PDP in Edo State is strong and vibrant.
Ikimi cautioned all those who are now fully in the opposing party but pretending to still be in PDP to desist saying their actions amount to performing criminal acts.
Ikimi said that the APC attack on the South-South region has been intense recently following the defection of the Delta State Governor to APC and the defection of his predecessor, Dr Ifeany Okowa to the APC.
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