14th August, 2012
JETHRO IBILEKE/ Benin
Johnson Abolagba, running mate to Gen. Charles Airhiavbere of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14, 2012 governorship election has dissociated himself from the petition filed by the governorship candidate at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal challenging the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. It was a move that further signalled the increasing isolation of Airhiavbere.
Abolagba whose choice as running mate to Airhiavbere came after a protracted controversy in the build up to the election, cited loyalty to his party as reason for dumping his principal.
In a press statement titled “ON MY PARTY POSITION REGARDING THE EDO GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION RESULT I STAND,” Abolagba who dissociated himself from Airhiavbere’s petition, said his loyalty was first to his party, PDP.
“I Johnson Abolagba Esq. Edo PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in the just concluded governorship election wish to disclaim reports making the rounds that I was a part of an Edo North PDP leaders’ meeting held on August 123, 2012 at Afuze which purportedly officially endorsed the tribunal challenge of the outcome of the election.
It would be recalled that Gen. Airhiavbere’s petition at the Edo Election Petitions Tribunal challenging the re-election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was punctured following the decision of Edo PDP to back out from the case.
“My loyalty to my party, the PDP; has never been in doubt and I am convinced, as a party man, that the Edo PDP and the position it has taken regarding the election is superior to my individual ambition or the ambition of any member of the party.
“While thanking Edo people and all the faithful PDP members and supporters who voted for the party in the last election, I wish to insist that my decision to accept the result of the election is in strict obedience to the wish of my dear party. This decision is as difficult for me as I am sure it is for all who honestly strove, at the election, to enthrone a PDP government in Edo State.”
Abolagba advised all his supporters who may be finding it difficult to come to grips with the official position of the PDP regarding the election to be calm, adding that the party in its determination to ensure the best for its members was doing all it could to reposition itself to enlarge the prospects and fortunes of the party.