The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has advised nine aggrieved governorship aspirants, who are protesting against the conduct of Sunday’s Ward delegates congress, to take their grievances to the party’s Appeal Panel.
Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the state chairman of the party, issued this directive during a press conference in Benin City.
The PDP conducted ward delegates congress across the 192 wards in the 18 local governments of Edo State on Sunday, ahead of the party’s February 22, 2024, governorship primary to elect a flag bearer for the forthcoming September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
Aziegbemi urged the aggrieved governorship aspirants to approach the Appeal Panel set up by the party for redress.
The protesting aspirants include Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of the state, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hajia Hadizat Umoru, Omosede Igbinedion, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, and Arthur Esene.
While acknowledging the right of the aspirants to protest, Aziegbemi stressed the importance of channeling their grievances through the party’s internal mechanisms.
He emphasized that the processes for the congress were transparent, credible, and robust, and urged the aggrieved aspirants to utilize the Appeal Panel for resolution.
Aziegbemi also cautioned the aggrieved aspirants to be mindful of their public statements and actions, as they could impact the party’s integrity.
He assured that the party would strive to address their concerns and highlighted Governor Godwin Obaseki’s readiness to listen to complaints from aggrieved party members.
Additionally, Aziegbemi revealed that the Peter Mbah-led five-man Ward delegates congress committee had nullified the election result in Etsako Central local government area due to the alleged abduction of eight electoral officers.
However, he stated that this cancellation would not significantly affect the overall outcome of the congress in the state.
Despite the incident, Aziegbemi noted that the congress proceeded smoothly in the other 17 local government areas.
He informed that the total number of elected delegates to nominate a governorship candidate for the party on February 22, 2024, is 594, with 31 delegates from Etsako Central local government.
He also mentioned that the abducted electoral officers had not been released and that Governor Obaseki had reported the incident to relevant security authorities.
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