Politics
Edo 2024: PDP chieftain warns against imposition of candidate
The Edo State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Hilary Otsu, has cautioned the party against fielding unpopular candidate in the 2024 Governorship Election in the state.
Otsu issued the warning in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.
He said that there is high political awareness among the electorate in the state, adding that PDP must field a popular candidate to secure victory.
He recalled that most of the candidates fielded by the party in the 2023 general elections were unknown which, he said, led to electoral loses in some constituencies.
The party chieftain warned against the imposition of candidates, saying that the electorate were already watching the process.
“Most of the candidates fielded during the 2023 general elections were unpopular and most voters in their various constituencies were also aware of the illegal processes that produced them.
“So, many of the voters who followed all that transpired, leading to their emergence, worked and voted against them.
“Most PDP supporters opted to work against the illegal candidates by supporting candidates of the opposition parties.
“That is why you see that in many places, they gave support to the All Progressives Congress candidates and, in some, to Labour Party (LP) candidates, which led to unprecedented victories for those parties.
“PDP has never lost Edo Central and South Senatorial seats before, but the LP candidate won the Edo South Senate seat after leaving PDP for LP just a few months to the election,” he said.
Otsu advised that internal democracy should be allowed in nominating a governorship and deputy governorship candidates in the election as that would make the party much stronger at the polls.
He said that any act of imposition or bending of the rules to favour any candidate would spell defeat for the party “because it would not be accepted by the people.”
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has said that it did not suspend any member in any part of the state, as being reported by some online media.
APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Seye Oladejo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
“Our attention has been drawn to the fake news making the rounds about the purported suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government by the State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
“We wish to state unequivocally that there’s no truth in the allegation,” he said.
According to him, Ojelabi remains committed to the unity of the party and acts that will engender peaceful co-existence of all members.
“APC as a political party, made up of members with different aspirations, naturally has its fair share of wrangling and suspicions that can always be resolved within the framework of its constitutional provisions.
“The chairman as an experienced individual in party politics and governance is always prepared to bend backwards to accommodate all opinions without trampling on the rights of others,” he said.
Oladejo said that the chairman, however, strongly believed that the interests of caucuses should not over-ride that of the party.
He said that the interest of the party remained cohesion among members and ensuring that party leaders act as checks to elected and appointed officials in government as regards service delivery.
Oladejo said: “There’s no provision in the party’s constitution that can be invoked for the chairman to unilaterally suspend a member.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to ignore statements that are designed to create an imaginary conflict and deliberate falsehood that are basically self-serving.”
Some party members in Alimosho had, during a protest at the party secretariat recently, attempted to manhandle and beat up the party chairman, before the intervention of security agents.
The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belonged to were not recognised at a meeting convened by Ojelabi to reconcile disagreeing groups in the local government area.
By Aminu Garko, Kano
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa in Kano State has praised the state government, led by Governor Abba Yusuf.
Noting that the Yusuf led administration has done a lot, the NNPP Chairman said Yusuf has achieved significant milestones in various sectors, including education, agriculture, health, women and youth empowerment, and infrastructure development.
According to the Dungurawa, the government has also demonstrated inclusivity by involving opposition parties and stakeholders in its decision-making processes.
He highlighted the allocation of N25 million to each of the 44 local government areas for minor repairs in primary and secondary schools, the provision of fertilizers to farmers, and the payment of retirees’ benefits, among other achievements.
Dungurawa also emphasized the government’s commitment to education, allocating 30% of the budget to the sector, and its efforts to empower women and youth.
He also praised Governor Abba Yusuf for his leadership and listening approach, which has led to significant progress in the state.
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused bitter individuals of circulating fake news on the candidacy of its Governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
In a statement on Sunday, Hon. Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary of the PDP said that the party is aware of a well-oiled plot by certain egocentric and overtly ambitious individuals to orchestrate a series of coordinated smear campaigns against Dr. Asue Ighodalo being frustrated by his emergence as candidate, his overwhelming popularity across the State and the fact that he is already coasting to victory in the election.
According to Debo, “angry and bitter individuals have been going around the courts and reportedly attempting to induce certain judicial officers to procure damaging rulings against our candidate.”
“It has also come to the knowledge of our Party that these unscrupulous elements have been attempting to compromise the media to publish fabrications against our candidate and campaign.”
“Our Party have it on good authority that the intent of these individuals who have been holding clandestine meetings in locations in Abuja and Benin City is to cause crisis and derail the democratic process leading to the Edo State governorship election.”
“Information available shows that these politicians are behind the erroneous report that our Party’s Governorship Primary in Edo State was nullified by the Court when the Court indeed did not issue any Order to that effect.”
“These individuals have been going about brazenly boasting that they have the connection and capacity to compromise the courts.”
“Such barefaced boast is a direct assault on the sensibility and pride of the majority of the people of Edo State as well as the institutions of democracy where the Will of the majority of the people must prevail.”
“Our Party alerts the Institution of the Judiciary, the Media and Security Agencies to be wary of the antics and activities of these elements and take steps to resist their shenanigans which is a clear and present danger to the sustenance of democracy in our country.” The statement noted.
The PDP National Secretary further stated that the PDP is not deterred.
“Our Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo continues to enjoy the solidarity and support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State; he remains focused on his issue-based campaign and will not be distracted from his vision and agenda of moving Edo State to another level of prosperity and development on the platform the PDP.”
“The PDP calls on the people of Edo State to remain at alert and resolute in their determination to ensure continued development by voting enmasse for the PDP and Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in the State.” He said.
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