Despite protests in some quarters, including nine of its aspirants, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conducted its delegates election in Edo State on Sunday ahead of the February 22, 2024, PDP governorship primaries in the state.
The election, which produced 576 delegates who are expected to nominate the party flag bearer for the Edo governorship election, was described by some PDP chieftains and members.
Prior to the exercise, there was a twist of events as the Chairman of the 3-Mans Committee, headed by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, stepped down from the position.
Makinde was later replaced by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who was earlier the deputy chairman of the committee.
Speaking to journalists at George Idahosa Primary School in Benin City, the Edo State Capital Governor, Mbah, commended the large turnout of PDP members, describing the exercise as free, fair, credible, and transparent.
He said, “This is a democracy, where our people come to exercise their franchise; we appreciate this turnout; our party is known for its principles, which are fairness, equity, and justice. I wish you to all conduct yourselves properly as we hold this election.”
In Ward 7 at Ugbekun Primary School in Ikpoba-Okha local government, Dr Major Itemowe led others to conduct the exercise, while in Oluku Ward, Hon. Kunle Koya from Lagos State conducted the exercise.
Speaking at Ward 4 Collation Centre, Idia College, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said the crisis in the party was being overhyped and that it would not affect the outcome of the governorship election.
“You can see from the crowd here that it is a lot of success, a huge turnout; we had over 600 people coming out to participate here.
“Our people are very politically aware, and we are happy with this turnout to elect delegates for our gubernatorial primary, and we are also expecting this huge turnout in the main election.”
Speaking on the non-participation of members of the Legacy Coalition of the PDP, the governor said, “You cannot have a hundred per cent; clearly, you can see the crowd here. When we were in the APC before we joined the PDP, we didn’t have these numbers, so clearly, the people we met in the party are still in the party.
“The crisis is hyped; it is not as fundamental as it is made to look on the ground; there is very little crisis; the crisis is fanned from outside, and our people are smarter than that. You will see during the main election, we are not going to allow ourselves to be sold.”
However, nine other aspirants, in their letters to the Acting National Chairman and copied to the National Vice Chairman South-South of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protested the process and composition of those to conduct the delegates election.
The petition was signed by Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm U. Ojezua, Hon. Felix Akhabue, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, Hafia Hadizat Umoru, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Dr. Earl Osaro Onaiwu, and Barr. Arthur Esene