Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have rejected the outcome of the ward congresses conducted last Sunday, describing it as “a Governor Obaseki Congress”, and not a PDP Congress.
Alleging widespread manipulation of the congress and the use of thugs to prevent supporters of nine of the ten aspirants from partaking in the exercise, the PDP in a statement on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 alleged that the materials for the exercise were handed over to the governor even as state government officials were used to supervise the congress.
In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Ogie Vasco, the State chapter of the PDP thus asked the national leadership to address the issues of the state PDP as concerning the alleged malpractices.
The PDP said: “The leaders of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP have rejected in totality the results of the purported ward congresses that took place on Sunday the 4th of February 2024 across the state. The results are not a true reflection of what took place, as they only represent a Governor Godwin Obaseki Congress, not a PDP Congress.
“After a cursory overview of the whole charade put up by the state government and certain individuals in the NWC, the leaders in their wisdom have denounced the whole process as a sham marred by acute manipulation. In particular, the leaders noticed that:
“The agents made the stipulated venues inaccessible to the other nine aspirants and their supporters by flooding the venues with armed thugs that were hostile and intimidating, and would only grant access if an individual was going to vote for the pre-selected delegates in favour of the Governor’s aspirant. Consequently, no voting was conducted in 92% of the stipulated venues.
“The office of the National Organizing Secretary published three conflicting letters on the composition of officers in charge of the congress both at the wards and local government areas. The last letter comprised of names of serving government officials in Edo and Delta States. This irregular act had earlier been communicated to national leadership of the party by the nine aspirants so affected.
“The materials for the conduct of the purported Congress had been deposited with the state governor who is an interested party in this Congress, for days prior to the stipulated date. Where is the fairness the NWC has preached in the various engagements with stakeholders leading to the this Congress? These and other infractions observed need to be addressed properly.
“Consequently, the leadership of the party calls on all party faithful to join in the call to right the wrongs of the sham perpetrated this past weekend. And also call for a total cancellation of the exercise.”
Dr. Tony Azeibemi, PDP Chairman in Edo, had charged party members who were dissatisfied with the outcome of ad-hoc delegate congress to channel their grievances to the appeal panel of the party.
The party on Sunday held its ad hoc delegates election across 192 wards in the state to elect 593 delegates expected to vote and elect the party candidate during the party’s primary for the September 21 governorship election.
Nine aspirants of the party including the State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, had faulted the exercise; declaring it illegal.
“The National Working Committee has set up appeal panel headed by Sen. Seriaki Dickson. So, whatever grievances or issue you have, I urge you to approach panel,” he had said.
He also charged them to be more circumspect in granting press interview because the image of the party was being battered when they said negative thing about the party.
