We, elders and critical leaders of PDP in Edo State, having become aware of some political disagreements within the membership of our great party in Edo State, consider it urgent that all groups sheath their swords and respect Party leadership intervention at the highest level. We have been disturbed by the recent open confrontations between H.E. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and our Governor, H.E. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. It is absolutely necessary for us to bring all this to an end immediately and ensure the smooth operation of a united South-Southern block of PDP states.
We recall that sometime in 2020, we the elders and critical leaders of Edo State met in Abuja and Benin City and proposed a plan of uniting the vast majority of Edo people into one party – the PDP to ensure our party wins the governorship election and takes over power in Edo State; power which had eluded our party for over twelve years before then. We therefore approached the National Chairman and National Working Committee of our party with our plans. Central to our plan was our invitation to Governor Godwin Obaseki, then of APC, to contest the 2020 Governorship election under PDP. We considered this a realistic approach as we did not want to run the risk of another four years in the opposition in Edo State. The Party leadership found our proposal very workable.
At the point of our approach to Governor Godwin Obaseki, which coincided with the Edo State APC crisis at the time, time was really running out. We were however aware that there were other interested PDP aspirants in Edo State and unfortunately one of them approached the court and obtained a restraining order to frustrate our efforts. This was most unfortunate but we must most sincerely thank the Governors of our Party, led by HE Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, the Chairman of the South-South PDP Governors forum who led their colleagues to Rivers State undertaking risky road night journeys and they secured a settlement that made it possible for the court case to be withdrawn and for all the other aspirants to step down.
At the Extraordinary meeting of leaders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central Senatorial District held today, the 13th of August 2023 at Igueben, the topical issues affecting the Party in the State were reviewed in depth.
The meeting noted with satisfaction, the speedy and effective progress being made on the peace and reconciliation efforts to unite the contending forces within the Party, particularly in Esanland.
However, the deteriorating relationship between our Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, was noted with utmost dismay.
It is the collective view of the entire leadership of PDP in Edo Central that the controversy was unnecessary and avoidable, considering that the central issue of contention is to do with issue of Governorship succession at the end of the current tenure.
The reason for this is our strong belief that the strongest consideration for making the choice is Equity in addition to other factors related to competence and individual acceptability. From our interactions with our brothers from Edo South and Edo North, there is already a consensus that the next Governor will emanate from Edo Central Senatorial District principally because it is on record that Edo Central has not legally produced a Governor for our dear State since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999.
Besides, we believe that the process of making such a choice can be achieved by the leadership of the Party in a cordial and reasonable atmosphere rather than resort to intimidation and blackmail. Moreover, we condemn in very strong terms, the act of resorting to Court without exhausting the options provided in our Party Constitution for dispute settlement. In any case, the Governor has confirmed that he made no move to impeach his Deputy and we believe him.
We therefore urge the Deputy Governor to withdraw his suit forthwith and seek a political solution to the problem with his Principal. We are confident that the leadership of the Party in the State have the capacity to resolve whatever may be the issues between our leaders in Government.
Finally, his Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed his firm resolve and determination to finish well and strong; we hereby identify with him in that resolution because we believe that nothing short of that will augur well for us, the Party and our dear State. We therefore urge all men and women of goodwill to join hands with his Excellency to ensure success to make Edo great again.
At the end of the Extraordinary meeting of leaders of PDP in Edo Central Senatorial District, a Vote of implicit Confidence in the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki was moved by Chief Francis Ulinfun and seconded by Elder Johnny Abhulimen. The motion was unanimously passed by all the leaders in attendance on behalf of the Party in Esanland.
