The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) has concluded plans to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in Edo State.

The move was to pave the way for harmonization and integration of politicians who moved with Obaseki from the All Progress Congress (APC) to PDP shortly before the September 19, 2020 Governorship election in the State.

Members of the Party have been sharply divided over the party structure arising few power struggle between Chief Dan Orbih, the national Vice Chairman of the party, and governor Godwin Obaseki.

The internal wrangling had also led to suspension of some members of the party by loyalists of the Governor in a bid to assert the governor’s leadership on the Edo PDP, a party he joined less than three years ago.

However, the members loyal to Orbih have consistently maintained that ward, local government and State excos of the party were elected through a legitimate Congress and would not surrender their positions to persons who defected with the governor to the party.

Speaking at an expanded caucus meeting of leaders and members of the PDP at the weekend in the State, governor Godwin Obaseki noted that he has no plan of defecting from the ruling party.

He also urge anyone who is uncomfortable with his leadership of the party to leave. he however charged detractors sponsoring disunity in the State to stop forthwith.

According to him, “Edo is Edo, leave Edo State alone. They have tried us in battle, and have been made to know that we are battle-ready. We have been tested and trusted. We must always win elections; we must always win as a party.

His comment comes ahead of the national chairman of Nigeria’s main opposition party, Mr. Iyorchia Ayu visitation to the State which is billed for Thursday 10th of March 2022.

Continuing, Obaseki asserted that the party is now fully harmonized, adding that the constitution of the party bequeaths him with the leadership of the party in the state, a position which is not up for contest by anyone.

“I can’t leave PDP. I will not decamp from the PDP; we will always win any election. PDP won in the last election and we will continue to win all elections in the state and country; nothing will stop us as a party”, he said.

The Governor also call on leaders of the party to mobilise support towards a grand reception of Mr. Ayu.

The governor noted that the forthcoming Local Government election in the State will set the template for 2023 national and legislative elections.

He therefore urged party members to reflect on the elections and work in unity to ensure victory in the polls.

“There is no division in Edo PDP. Let the party be open to accommodate others. PDP is democratic. The hallmark of democracy is ensuring that the majority has their way, as the minority can’t dictate to the people.

“I heard that Chief Dan Orbih went around, saying there is no harmonization in Edo PDP. This is really irresponsible to say and an insult to members of the party, as the party has truly harmonised in the state.

“PDP in Edo State is harmonised because before we made any appointments in any ward, we made sure the party at that level was harmonised. We are gathered here now as election timetable is out; harmonisation has been done, appointments made and we are ready to win any election before us.”

“Politics is not about fighting but dialogue and discussion. I urge us to collaborate and unite to move the party and state forward,” he charged.

While noting that over 539,000 members have been registered in the ongoing e-registration exercise, Obaseki said, “These numbers are not fabricated as we have the data, pictures, emails and phone numbers of members of the party we have registered so far. You have broken records as this is the bastion of PDP in Nigeria. We have changed the face of politics in Nigeria.”

He continued: “I didn’t give leaders any resources to mobilize them but rather they challenged themselves and achieved the goal to register more members in the state.”

“Some people went around saying people should not join our party. No true party man will do that. Those that engaged in that are not true members of the party and don’t belong to Edo PDP. If not, they will not push people away from the party.”

“Our focus now is on how to engage our members, making them participate in the policy-making process of the party. We don’t need to wait for an election before we act”, he said.

Anthony Aziegbemi, the Chairman PDP Edo State, noted that “Edo State is the only state in the nation that has surpassed the 500,000 thresholds for e-registration of the party.”

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Mr. Marcus Onobun; Senator Matthew Urhoghide; Senator Clifford Odia; Chief Tom Ikimi; Hon. Joe Edionwele and National Youth Deputy Leader of PDP, Timothy Osadolor, except Chief Dan Orbih were among other politicians who attended the meeting.

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