Ahead Of Edo Agenda 2024! PDP Candidacy Will Be Based On Merit And Credibility As Governor Obaseki Has No Legitimate Candidate

By Osata Osayogie Raphael

February 14, 2024

One of the members of the state PDP executive as a universal umbrella. And also the Publicity Secretary in a special committee set up to guide and give political advice to all the PDP Governorship aspirants in Edo Central Senatorial District headed by High Chief Tom Ikhimi.The Publicity Secretary of the aforementioned committee has debunked the rumour that Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has a preferred Candidate.He said, that was totally absurd,ludicrous and fallacious based on collective falsehood perpetrated by some political rabble-rousers who don't want the ruling party to make progress.

He,however,stated categorically to all the PDP Governorship aspirants present that the choice of candidacy come February 22,2024 will be based on merit and credibility and not by personal selection.

By happenstance,one of the major hurdles political parties must surmount is the senatorial districts where the parties will pick their governorship candidates from especially in the face of agitations by the Edo central senatorial district that it is their turn to produce Obaseki’s successor as the two other zones have occupied the number one seat of power.By popular opinions, while doing background checks in various market places, round-abouts,some churches,some other religious bodies,viewing centers,public vendor stands,various political/social groups both in Edo State, and diaspora, including various Edo social media groups have acknowledged a certain Governorship aspirant,but not on the prerogative of the Executive Governor of Edo State.

Even though there is no written agreement or legislation in rotating the governorship position among the three major ethnic groups, the Binis, Esan and Afemais, the sentiment among Esan people of Edo Central is very high to produce the next governor.In some divide in the state on the need for Esan to produce the next governor.This will be in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

“To dispel deliberate misinformation being bandied by some mischievous people, we want to state that there is no ethnic sectarianism to this yearning.” FACT

Some analysts and watchers have argued that governorship tickets among political parties should be thrown open to allow competence, capacity, excellence and merit be the major determinant factors.

The above positions have also been countered by proponents of fairness, equity and justice arguing that the people of Edo Central deserve to produce the next governor because the zone forms a significant part that is made up of what is today referred to as Edo State.

Consequently, aspirants jostling for their parties’ tickets cut across the three senatorial districts with the hope that their parties find them capable as their standard bearers to wrestle power from the ruling PDP in the state.

Governor Obaseki has consistently stated in the public domain that he has no preferred candidate going into the primaries.Speaking to journalists some months ago at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP to deliberate on vital issues with all the aspirants at the party's national secretariat in Abuja, Obaseki reaffirmed his stand on neutral basis by pledging to support whoever emerges the legitimate candidate of the party. ‘’I will support whoever emerges the party’s candidate at the primaries,"

Moreover, Governor Godwin Obaseki has cleared all doubts about where he stands on the choice of the flag-bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He declared that he has no preferred or anointed candidate among those aspiring to succeed him as his tenure comes to an end.

According to the governor, only the party has the power to decide who becomes its flag-bearer at the gubernatorial election.


Issue Surrounding Shuaibu Candidacy

Obaseki also cleared the air on his relationship with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who has declared interest in succeeding him.

He said their relationship is cordial.

Rumour report(s) by some die-hard political rabble-rousers; that until this time, there have been insinuations in some quarters that the governor is not backing his deputy’s ambition to succeed him.

Obaseki said: “My relationship with Shaibu is cordial.He wants to run for the office I currently occupy and I think, as a Nigerian, he has the constitutional right to run; nobody can stop him.”

He added: “But only the PDP and our members can decide who will become the flag-bearer of the party at the gubernatorial election. I’m only one of the millions of party members in Edo State.I don’t think my vote alone will determine who becomes the party’s flag bearer.”

In conclusion,the choice of the Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki seeking his successor must reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion, insisting his focus is on finishing strong and finishing well. As Governor Godwin Obaseki focuses on breasting the tape of his 8 year Governance, finishing well, finishing strong and preserving his legacy should be his priority.I am committed to seeing my GOVERNOR, Mr Godwin finish well just like everyone of us should.We can criticize him constructively, objectively and positively but his finishing well and strong is to the benefit of the State and her people.

A Wise Man Is Pro-active And An Unreasonable Man Is Re-active and Physically Vindictive

Osata Osayogie Raphael, Reporting From Oredo Local Government Axis

The governor has and will always be fair to all.
Those complaining are those that aren't campaigning but waiting for endorsement.

Dey play

Eghodin:
The governor has and will always be fair to all.
Those complaining are those that aren't campaigning but waiting for endorsement.

He has already brought his Planwell friend Asuen from Ibadan to try and trick the Esan's into thinking he cares about their so called agenda when what he is doing is that he is looking to be a Godfather. Same thing he threatened Oshio baba over.

Obaseki, go back to Lagos and leave us alone in peace. Lahọr wo wo.

aswani:


He has already brought his Planwell friend Asuen from Ibadan to try and trick the Esan's into thinking he cares about their so called agenda when what he is doing is that he is looking to be a Godfather. Same thing he threatened Oshio baba over.

Obaseki, go back to Lagos and leave us alone in peace. Lahọr wo wo.

Oga APC member you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting APC the hardship party.10k for bag of cement and you still following them

Eghodin:
The governor has and will always be fair to all.
Those complaining are those that aren't campaigning but waiting for endorsement.

Don't mind them,Asuen Ighodalo is the man for the job.

Isokiscool:
Oga APC member you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting APC the hardship party.10k for bag of cement and you still following them

I have an opinion on Ẹdo gubernatorial elections, why not regale us with yours.

I am not APC anything.

You people have started again, anybody with an opinion on your candidate that you don't see as favourable must he insulted and abused.

It didn't work for Obidients and Peter Obi, do you think it will work for Asuẹn?

He should give all aspirants equal opportunity.

aswani:


I have an opinion on Ẹdo gubernatorial elections, why not regale us with yours.

I am not APC anything.

You people have started again, anybody with an opinion on your candidate that you don't see as favourable must he insulted and abused.

It didn't work for Obidients and Peter Obi, do you think it will work for Asuẹn?

No connection between Labour party and PDP,so please say something else.Before you support APC just remember that many Nigerians now beg to eat