Edo Guber: Why Obaseki May Cause PDP’s Loss- Party Chieftains
***Defectors are professional politicians- Osadolor
Torkwase Nyiekaa, Abuja
Ahead of the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party have identified Governor Godwin Obaseki’s handling of party affairs as a critical factor that may cost the ruling party, victory at the poll.
Recall that Obaseki’s preference of Asue Ighodalo as the PDP flagbearer in the governorship election pitched him against party chieftains, including Mr Philip Shaibu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State who was impeached in April 2024.
In the past few weeks, a legion of party faithful left the party, citing the power tussle between the governor and founding members of the PDP in the state, particularly, the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Mr Dan Orbih.
A PDP leader in Ward 8, Owan East Local Government of Edo State, Tony Ebofuai while leaving the party a fortnight ago fingered Obaseki’s conduct as the reason for his decision to quit.
He said, “I have worked for PDP as I would have my work done but in all, there is nothing to show for it. It is just a ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.’ PDP does not reward hard work considering my sacrifice to see that Obaseki became governor. The first attack we got was on our leader and members of the Legacy Group.”
On his part, a party leader in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Lucky Egbunue who has since quit the PDP blamed the governor’s ‘undemocratic’ handling of state party affairs since his assumption of office for dumping the party.
“My decision for this move (resignation from PDP) is based on the governor’s undemocratic ways of governance since his assumption into office. He has been disunity by fighting stakeholders. Another reason is his unfulfilled promises to the people. All these characteristics will hinder any political party from victory at the poll,’ Egbunue said.
Also speaking, a PDP chieftain in Owan East Local Government Area, Dennis Oyakhire in his resignation letter had this to say, “I have been a committed member and leader of the PDP. However, the ongoing crisis within the party largely due to the conduct of Governor Godwin Obaseki has created a perpetual state of turmoil within the party.”
With the election barely a few months away, a leader of the party in Edo Central Senatorial District, Clement Azeigbemi does not see the possibility of the PDP retaining the State, even as he accused Obaseki and Ighodalo of playing the Ostrich, instead of addressing the internal party wranglings.
Azeigbemi said, “The reason for my resignation is as a result of the internal divisions within the PDP, which the party hierarchy has failed to address that led to the mass exodus of members from the ruling party to the opposition party in the State.
“The cause of this massive defection of members from the PDP is largely due to the conquest attitude of the party leadership that lacks inclusivity of members into appointment in the state which the party loyalists worked for. Yet, they were abandoned for new entrants. The old PDP members, which I belong to have suffered a great deal in the hands of the party leadership and those in government.
“Both the Governor and the party’s candidate have failed to address these issues begging for attention. With this ugly development persisting, it will be very difficult for the party to win the September 21 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.”
For Kamin Asunugie, a former Etsako East Local Government Chairmanship aspirant, the defection of Obaseki to the party’s fold eight years ago has left the PDP factionalised, saying, “Since the coming of Obaseki and Philip Shaibu into the PDP, that party has not been the same. And rightly so, the party won’t and cannot know peace. When you sow evil, you don’t expect to reap peace.”
He continued, “Obaseki and Shaibu came to the party with an evil mindset dressed in sheep’s looks. As ‘conquerors’ of the party, they came to dictate to the original or foundation members of the PDP how it should be run. The warped mindset was, matter-of-factly, to run out the foundation members and take full charge, plant their stooges in all party structures and positions, and more desperately, in all government offices and outlets.
“The stage was set for them right from the outset when foundation party leaders milked Obaseki and Philip dry to award them the party’s gubernatorial ticket in 2020, intending to run Adams Oshiomhole roughshod in the then main election. They (PDP leaders) had their way and smiled to the banks and dealt a temporary political blow to Adams Oshiomhole but they are now ruing that pyrrhic victory today.”
Defectors are professional politicians- Osadolor
Meanwhile, the National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor who incidentally is an indigene of the State has described the defectors as professional politicians who want things done the old way.
In an exclusive interview with INDEPENDENT Osadolor expressed confidence in the ability of the PDP not only to retain the state but also to win convincingly in the polling units of “All the defectors who left because the Governor insisted on working for the people.”
He said, “The PDP’s membership base is intact and growing. Those who left were uncomfortable because the Governor insisted on working for the people of Edo State. It is not news anymore that Edo State runs e-governance, a paperless government. What this means is that everything is automated and there are no files to take to the Office of the Governor for signing. Everything is transparent.
“Edo State is a place where civil servants live like kings, where teachers travel abroad for re-training. But men who want to be cashing out at the expense of the people have left. We wish them well but we know that in no time, the character that sent them away from the PDP will manifest in their new abode.”
