An enlarged meeting of stalwarts of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter, in the 18 local government areas has resolved to work with the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, as the 2024 governorship election draws closer.
This development came up as a result of a resolution unanimously adopted by a group known as “Towards Greater Edo State” during an extraordinary meeting it held over the weekend in Benin City.
The meeting, which was well attended by seasoned members of the party, declared that since Governor Obaseki remains the political leader of the PDP in Edo State, machinery will be put in place to support his chosen candidate for the governorship of Edo State come 2024.
“And he is the only person who can determine his successor. So, whoever our Governor chooses, we will support him and the person; and wherever he tells us to go is where we will go,” according to the group.
Speaking during the meeting, one of the conveners of Towards Greater Edo State, who doubles as the Secretary of the group, Barr. Felix Omi Imoisili, said in his opening addresss, “We are ready to look at the way we can plan effectively and pragmatically to assist the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, based on the calibre of individuals carefully chosen and invited to this meeting. Eight of us began this significant journey and felt we cannot determine what is going on in other local government areas given the realities on the ground, hence this enlarged meeting.
“How can we say that the Executive Governor will not be part of the group that will succeed him?”
The exhaustive meeting, which was hosted by Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, saw delegates one after the other declaring their support for Governor Obaseki’s agenda to produce his successor come 2024 governorship elections.
The chief host, Hon. Osaigbovo, said he was “very excited about the huge turn out of prominent stakeholders of the PDP in Edo State; and appreciate the Towards Greater Edo State group for their overwhelming support for the political aspirations of Mr. Governor towards his successor in office. I will not hesitate to pass the message of this huge support of today to the Executive Governor of the State”.
Hon. Johnson Abolagba, the Protem Chairman of the Towards Greater Edo State, and former House of Representative member for Owan Federal Constituency, appealed to the State Governor to pick his successor from Edo Central, and noted that it was the turn of Edo Central to produce the next number one citizen of the state. The formation of the group was an indication of the massive support and respect they have for Governor Obaseki, he said.
In his words: “Going by the huge success of today’s meeting it is expedient on our part to expand the membership of this group to give benefits to other critical grassroots political heavy weights in the 18 local government areas a chance to contribute to the Governor’s agenda for 2024″.
Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon. Lucky James, who was also in the meeting, echoed the same line by saying, “we will ensure that Governor Godwin Obaseki gets a successful end of tenure, by working assiduously for his chosen successor to emerge ultimately victorious during the 2024 governorship elections”.
Hon. Levi Aigbogun in his own submission acknowledged the fact that there are in deed challenges confronting the PDP in the State, but noted that “given the pedigree of most of the members of the Towards Greater Edo State, such problems could be solved for Mr. Governor, while the Governor would be left with little or no problem to solve at the end of the day before the 2024 governorship election”.
The following are some of the PDP members that graced the occasion: Executive Chairman Igueben Local Government, Hon. Engr. Clement Asuelimhen; his Orhionmwon counterpart, Hon Newman Ugiagbe; Hon Ethan Uzamere, Commissioner for Infrastructure; Hon. Andy Egbadon; Hon. Victor Enoghama; Hon. Levi Aigbogun; Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, Hon. Sylvester Ewanlehi; Hon. Victor Ebomoyi; Hon. Levis Aigbogun; Hon. Johnson Abolagba; Hon. Lucky James; Hon. Andrew Akhabue; Hon. Monday Abulu; Hon. Nosa Ehima; Hon. Sunday Esangbedo; Chief D. Usoh; Dr. Ahmed D. E; Hon. Ambrose lmodu; Hon. Nosa Okunbor; Hon. Sir Peter Eguabi; Hon. James Ijegbai; Hon. Richard Uyi Edebiri; Pastor S.E Erhabor; Hon. Joseph Okpoduso; Hon. Emmanuel Agbale; Dr. Nosa Ehigie, among others.
