Ahead of Thursday’s governorship primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, stakeholders in the party in the state have kicked against the seeming favouritism extended to the State Governor,y Godwin Obaseki, by the party’s national leadership, saying it is illegal and unjust.
Governor Obaseki joined the PDP last week after he was allegedly denied the chance to seek reelection under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party under which he governed Edo state for the past four years.
A source within the party said although he has nothing against Obaseki joining the PDP, he is, however, against using illegality to impose the governor on those who have been on ground and working for the party through thick and thin. He said it is unfair that the party allowed Obaseki to purchase nomination forms after the time had elapsed.
The source said that leading governorship aspirants in the Edo state PDP such as Hon. Ogbeide Omorogie Ihama and others were not given a fair deal when Obaseki was offered such unprecedented favouritism.
“It is a welcome development that the governor joined the PDP, the problem is that the national leadership of the party without any idea of the local politics decided to upset the apple cart because of their greed. People have worked for the party, they have gone through the process and they have concluded on buying of nomination forms and all that and you approved it,” he said.
He added that even if Obaseki will be given waiver, there must be consultation in order not to cause disaffection in the party as some people will feel shortchanged and might dump the party because there is nothing in it for them anymore.
