Crisis Hits Edo PDP Over Alleged Manipulation of Delegate List by Gov Obaseki
- Some stakeholders and politicians of the Edo state chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised an alarm over Governor Obaseki's delegate list
- According to the members of the party, the ad-hoc delegate list is being manipulated by some powerful personalities in the government
- A close source revealed some members are planning to dump the PDP in the state for the Labour Party and still want to bring in their preferred candidates even after the defection
Some politicians and contestants in the forthcoming election in Edo state have raised the alarm over alleged manipulation of the result of the ad hoc delegate list allegedly by the government.
A source who spoke exclusively to Legit.ng on condition of anonymity alleged that some powerful people in government have sent their own list to the national chairman in Abuja for his approval. He alleged that the list authenticated by the Independent National Electoral Commission was dropped by the individuals because of their personal interests.
According to the source, the individuals who are already planning to dump the PDP for the Labour Party (LP), are concerned only about imposing their candidates on the party and retaining the majority seats even after dumping the PDP.
Source: Original
The source said:
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"And the National Chairman wants to adopt the list of delegates not monitored and signed by INEC."
He went further to disclose that the national chairman, despite being aware that the list is not the authentic one, is ready to put his signature.
The source argued that once that happens, it will deprive the party of the opportunity of retaining the majority seat in the Edo State Assembly.
According to him, the national leadership of the party needs to intervene now that the issue has been escalated.
He alleged that a meeting of all aspirants had been called where candidates would be forced to step down. He alleged that money would exchange hands in the process and videos would be recorded to show that the candidates willingly stepped down.
When asked if Governor Obaseki was aware of the development, the source told our correspondent to do an independent finding.
Edo PDP speaks
When Legit.ng reached out to Hillary Otsu, the PDP state's secretary, he confirmed the development and also confirmed the alleged involvement of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to him, the new list was sent from the government house.
Expressing fears that Edo PDP is about to witness a serious crisis never witnessed in the state before, Otsu said:
"We did all we could in the last congress according to the constitution of the party; myself and the organizing secretary; in fact, the entire working committee because we had several meetings before that exercise, but to my surprise, we have been hearing this story."
"But what has now buttressed the story is that on the day of the exercise when all the returning officers which we sent out to the wards to conduct the congresses returned to submit their results, the committee sent from Abuja was nowhere to be found. They came to the secretariat, spent about 5 minutes and left. Till we speak, we haven't seen them. So we collated all the results; me and the legal adviser."
Giving further details on what is going on in the party, he affirmed:
"What we heard is that they were given a list from the government house by the governor to take to Abuja. A list that was not collated from any congress centre.
"So as we speak, that is what I know."
Warning of an impending crisis, the PDP secretary said:
"I hope that the national chairman desists from any such act because if he goes to approve such a list, we are going to throw Edo State into what Zamfara State experienced two years ago."
But several calls put across to the special adviser media to the governor, Crusoe Osagie went unanswered even as the text message sent to him got no reply.
But based on antecedent, Governor Obaseki has not had any known record of manipulating election results.
It would be recalled that when he was treated unjustly in the All Progressives Congress, APC, he moved to the PDP where he was returned as Governor.
His movement from the APC was as a result of his fallout with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of the state.
2023 presidency: Sam Ohuabunwa visits Edo PDP delegates, leadership
Meanwhile, as consultations by presidential aspirants with constituents continue across the country, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa has visited leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
Ohuabunwa, who is contesting under the umbrella of the party, arrived Edo State saturday April 24, and immediately paid a courtesy visit to the state chairman of the party, Mr Tony Aziegbemi.
He had also paid a visit to stakeholders of the party, including delegates with whom he shared his vision and mission.
Source: Legit.ng
Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.
Adoyi Ali Ali Adoyi is a prolific writer and a graduate of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State. Adoyi holds a B.A Theatre and Communications Arts. He has bagged many awards both in academics and in journalism. Some of the awards are 10 years Journalism Merit Award, Best graduating student (Dept) Most Outstanding student (Faculty), and others. Adoyi can be reached here: adoyi.ali@corp.legit.ng
