The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Edo State chapter has in strong terms dissociated itself from the commendation on Governor Godwin Obaseki by two prominent chieftains of the party, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Chief Tom Ikimi.
The two PDP patrons had during a private visit to Obaseki commended him and his government drawing suspicious that they were either endorsing him for a second term or making attempts to woo him over to the PDP.
There had been speculations that the PDP could yield its 2020 governorship ticket to Obaseki in the event of the expected fight between him and his political godfather, Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the governor’s All Progressives Congress, APC.
But affirming that a battle line may have been drawn with Obaseki, the party in strong disavowal of the visit and commendations poured on the governor in a statement said:
“Edo PDP hereby disassociates itself from all that transpired between the aforementioned leaders and the Governor. It is abnormal and not politically suave for party leaders to endorse aspirants of another party other than the candidate of their party.”
The statement signed by party spokesman, Chris Nehikhare further said:
“At the appropriate time in accordance with our party’s constitution, a credible PDP candidate will be nominated to contest the Edo State 2020 Governorship election to liberate the state from poverty, insecurity, unemployment and unimaginable colossal debts.
“In the last three years, this government has been on a merry-go-round. The “commissioned” 5 star specialist hospital is still home to reptiles, Tayo Akpata University of Education, an unfulfilled political greek gift, College of Agriculture Ogierieki, a victim of policy lip-service, the gele gele sea port project is still a mirage and the industrial park is still at the MOU level. To mention a few!
“Taxes and levies are at an all time high and the condition of infrastructure unchanged in the last 11 years of the APC Edo State government.
“Edo earnestly needs a CHANGE in government to right all the wrongs.
“To all Edo people, members and supporters of PDP you will have a choice to make between the umbrella of comfort and the broom of hardship. A PDP government will liberate our state from the APC government that is insensitive to the plight of our people. The echoes of freedom is in the streets and PDP remains the preferred choice of our people.”
