Edo PDP Chair urges members to build on party’s foundation

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Dr Tony Aziegbemi on Monday in Benin called on the party faithfuls to build upon the foundation laid by the leaders in the zone and nation to build a better country.

He said this while briefing journalists as part of activities to mark the one year in office of the present party executives in the state.

Aziegbemi noted that it is an enormous privilege and honour to be trusted with the chairmanship of the party in Edo, adding that he is deeply conscious of that privilege and honour when given the mandate.

He said that he believes that the party had laid a solid foundation, and the victory in the last general election was a testimony that Edo people trust the party and believe in the vision of the governor and the party.

“It is now time to build upon the foundation we laid so that we can sustain Edo PDP in government over many election cycles.

“Today, we come together as a family to mark the first anniversary of our election to run the affairs of this great political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, here in Edo.

“During my campaigns addressing delegates to the state congress, I did promise four things:

“To get the party back to government house, make the party secretariat functional, within the first four years the party must have its own purposely built permanent secretariat in Benin, and empowerment of party members.

“So upon my emergence as the chairman of the party last year March 14, I declared that my first and most important task will be to lead the party to victory in the then upcoming governorship election.

“Bearing in mind, however, that we had spent 11 straight years in opposition but consistently did very well in federal legislative elections especially in 2015, when we won two out of three senate seats and five out of nine House of Representatives seats.

“In 2019 we again won two of the three senate seats and four of the nine House of Representatives seats.

“We also had majority of the votes cast across the state in both elections.

“With a solid foundation laid by Chief Dan Orbih-led state executive, it wasn’t a surprise when we were approached by Gov. Godwin Obaseki for the PDP gubernatorial ticket.

“For me, it was partial fulfillment of my promise to return PDP to government,” he said.

He stressed that he and his executive team were proud of what they had achieved, because they were “Resetting Edo” for the better.

“I believe that we have laid a solid foundation. I believe our victory in the last general election is a testimony that Edo people trust us and believe in the vision of the governor and the party.

“It is now time to build upon the foundation we laid so that we can sustain Edo PDP in government over many election cycles,” Aziegbemi said.

Highlighting the successes recorded by the party, he called on the faithfuls in the country to let the zone fly the party’s Presidential flag in 2023.

“As 2023 approaches, I humbly submit that our party has eminent men and women from across the six zones of the country that can lead us to victory.

“Our zone, South South, I believe was short-changed when President Goodluck Jonathan was stopped from getting a second term.

“With that in mind, and with the quality of leaders from the zone, we demand that our party, PDP zones the presidency to the South South..

“Our zone, South South, is the most ‘PDPcentric’ zone in the country with all the states being governed by PDP and all the governors performing excellently well.

“We wish to place on record that we are very proud of all our governors in the zone.

“It is the most ‘Nigerianised’ and contributes immensely to the federation purse.

“We have the buccaneering spirit, gritty resolve, give and take, a conviction that everyone is entitled to the same dignity, courtesy and esteem.

“These values of integrity, impartiality and merit have proved timeless and are a decisive legacy of our founding fathers.”

The Edo PDP chairman noted that in 2015 and 2019 presidential election, defeats of the party were entirely predictable and predicted.

He said that the party went into an election on a political terrain chosen by its opponents, with a manifesto promising the earth but from a planet other than earth.

“The public is watching. They have half an ear cocked. They’re waiting to see if we get it right.

“And they’re willing to see us succeed. They want a strong alternative. They know the country needs a paradigm shift.

“We must as a party determine our campaign and determine the terrain.

“The right ideas on politics never work without the right mentality. I mean the mentality of government.

“PDP is not an NGO and not a pressure group. Its aim is not to trend on Twitter,” he added.