Guber poll: NWC holds preliminary talks with Edo PDP leaders

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a proactive step towards the upcoming Edo State 2024 governorship election by engaging in discussions with key leaders from the Edo State chapter of the party.

The meeting which held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja was aimed to at strategising and laying the groundwork for future actions.

During the meeting, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagun, highlighted the longstanding relationship between Edo State and the party, emphasising the importance of open and respectful dialogue among leaders.

At the meeting, the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, provided an outline of the primary election timeline and associated activities.

The Edo State PDP Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, acknowledged the party’s significant achievements under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki and expressed optimism for the upcoming governorship polls.

He stressed the urgent need for unity and cooperation within the party to sustain its strong presence in Edo State while asking for forgiveness from anyone he might have offended in his role as state party chairman.

Also at the meeting, Governor Obaseki expressed gratitude to the PDP for its support and pledged his commitment to the party’s reconciliation efforts.

However, Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu expressed his loss of confidence in the state chairman, citing a recorded statement where the chairman expressed his belief that the next governor of the state should come from Edo Central.

In his swift response, the acting national chairman stated that the recent court judgments in Plateau necessitated caution when dealing with matters of party offices. He clarified that the state chairman had no role in the conduct of primaries, as that responsibility rested solely with the NWC.

After deliberations, Ambassador Damagun concluded that the issues primarily revolved around disagreements between Governor Obaseki and the PDP South-South Zonal chairman, Chief Dan Orbih.

Consequently, the stakeholders agreed that a reconciliation committee comprising Ambassador Damagun, Governor Obaseki, Chief Orbih, and four other nominated leaders would be established immediately to examine the raised issues and propose solutions for the party to adhere to.

In his vote of thanks, Chief Orbih noted that this initiative will facilitate genuine reconciliation within the party.

Meanwhile, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion emphasised that the meeting and the formation of the reconciliation committee were preliminary steps.

While acknowledging the complexity and longstanding nature of the matters at hand, Igbinedion said he was pleased by the spirit of camaraderie in the room and expressed confidence in the national chairman’s ability to reconcile the aggrieved parties.

The meeting was largely peaceful, with the exception of a scuffle captured on camera outside the meeting hall involving Osaro Onaiwu, one of the aspirants, and an unidentified young man.

One of the leaders who spoke with reporters after the meeting said, “This is good; my expectation is that the governor’s side will produce the governor and Orbih’s side will be allowed to produce the deputy governor or the SSG. They may even get some commissioner positions in the next government if we win. The PDP is a family. With this move, everyone will be settled and we will go into the election as a united front.”

Other prominent leaders that attended the meeting are Chief Tom Ikimi, Asue Ighodalo, Anslem Ojezua, Sen. Odia, and various other party leaders and governorship aspirants.