10th March, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has warned members of the party in Edo State that Governor Godwin Obaseki must not be allowed to leave the party.
He said infighting within the party if not resolved would make them to lose the state.
Ayu, who spoke on Thursday in Benin at a rally organised in his honour, noted that the party lost Edo State in 2008 because of the infighting between the camps of Late Tony Anenih and Chief Igbinedion.
He, however, promised that the party will set up a team to resolve the crisis.
The PDP National Vice Chairman (South South), Dan Orbih and some other chieftain of the party, were however absent from the rally.
“The same history is repeating itself today. Now Edo is PDP. The party will set up a team to resolve the crisis and we will ensure that the governor does not leave.
“Obaseki is not going any where, we have captured him and through him we are going to unite PDP. Let no one deceive you, Obaseki is not leaving PDP. Nigerians will see how we will receive all those from other parties. In 2023, we shall be back in power.
“Edo people should learn from my own state, Benue. If you fight, you will lose the election. I am going to bring a team that will settle the issue in Edo.
“I have been working from behind, I am happy that the Deputy Governor, Shaibu said the truth that the leadership of the party in the state is not working. We are very close to solving the crisis in Edo.
“Once the leadership is divided, you won’t get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms,” he said.
On his part, governor Godwin Obaseki, said Edo would support the PDP to reclaim the presidency, as it is the only party that could rescue the country.
“The only issue that can stop us is the small quarrel in Edo PDP; once you can solve the quarrel in Edo and other states, we will take over power in 2023,” he said.
Earlier, the State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said the executive of Edo APC led by Aslem Ojezua and other members resigned and followed the Governor to the PDP in 2019, when Governor Obaseki was disqualified from contesting the primary election in the party.
“Obaseki will only remain in PDP when his foot soldiers remain in PDP. If all of us, with way we are being treated now, decide to leave, the Governor will follow us.
“Mr. Chairman, we are angry and we want you to solve this problem. If we continue with impunity, PDP is not going any where and there would be problem because wherever Edo go is where Nigeria go,” he said.
Dignitaries at the rally include, former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jibrin; Senator Matthew Urhoghide; Senator Clifford Odia; Chief Tom Ikimi and PDP National Women Leader, Josephine Anenih, Edo House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun and State Chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, among others.