Nine out of the ten aspirants of the People Democratic Party, PDP, in the Edo State governorship race, have raised the alarm over what they alleged was the hijack of the primary election process by Governor Godwin Obaseki who they accuse of hijacking Governor Peter Mbah’s panel.
Spokesperson for the aspirants, Barrister Aselm Ojezua, who addressed the media on behalf of others, said: “At exactly 12 noon, Governor Peter Mba of Enugu placed a call to Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu that he had just arrived Benin and was awaiting the arrival of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba.
“He, however, asked to meet all 10 aspirant as stakeholders for briefing before commencing the congresses. Up until now, at 5pm, 9 out of 10 aspirant have yet to hear from Governor Peter Mba and his team.
“They are in Edo State Government House, allegedly filling original result sheets. 9 out of 10 Edo PDP governorship aspirants had no access to the 5-man panel with two state governors as members.
“No congresses done in Edo State.”
The PDP primary which is scheduled to hold on February 22, has been marked by a lot of intrigues among aspirants and other party stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the governor of Enugu State and chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ad-hoc Ward Delegates Congress Electoral Committee for Edo State governorship primary election, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commended party faithful in the state for a peaceful exercise.
Mbah, who alongside members of the committee, monitored the exercise in parts of Edo State, expressed satisfaction with the process in the various wards he personally monitored, adding that reports from other parts of the state were equally satisfactory.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the exercise, Mbah, who was also in the company of the Secretary of the Committee, Governor Kefas Agbu of Taraba State, said: “We met with the chairman of our party in the state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, who gave us a robust briefing of the plans on ground.
‘’Myself as chairman of the electoral committee and other members went to a number of wards where we found that the turnout was huge and the process was free, fair, and credible.”
Meanwhile, Governor Mbah had earlier, while addressing party faithful at Oredo Ward 2 in Benin City, assured them that their votes would count.
“This is one of the venues our members have been asked to come out to exercise their franchise and we are happy with what we are seeing.
‘’Our party is known for the principles of fairness, equity and justice. So, I charge you to conduct yourselves peacefully, in line with these principles and rest assured that your democratic choices will be protected.”
Also, at Oredo Ward 4 where Mbah and the members of the PDP electoral committee were received by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the party’s ward executive, he expressed satisfaction with the turnout as well as peaceful and convivial process.
Source: Vanguard
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