Controversy Trails Directive To Edo PDP Officials To Resign

Controversy is trailing the planned move by Governor Godwin Obaseki to harmonise the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State that would require some elected party elected party officials to resign.

The harmonization move is in the wake of plans to engraft supporters of the governor who came with him from the All Progressives Congress, APC last year ahead of the governorship election into the PDP structures.

The anger of original PDP members is also being fueled by moves to also enthrone those in the PDP who lost out during the 2020 congresses with slots despite not having won party positions.

The anger according to reports boiled over after the weekend meeting summoned by the governor during which he gave notice of his intention to harmonise the PDP structures.

At the end of the meeting at the Government House in Benin last weekend, the party leaders were instructed to go and harmonise at every level and report within one week.

According to the plan, some of the Edo PDP officials who won elections into organs of the party would be asked to resign and be replaced to satisfy tendencies from the APC who came with the governor. Besides, it is also being claimed that those who lost during the PDP congresses in Edo State last year but who have become cozy with the governor would also be compensated during the harmonization exercise with slots of those who resign.

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that when the plan was first broached months ago that the PDP local government chairmen and other members of the state executive had protested against the move.

The state executive after a loud outcry, however, succumbed and has apparently lied low waiting for the governor to unfold the plans.

Sources at last weekend’s meeting disclosed that it was promised that those who give up their positions would be compensated. However, the offer of compensation was left in the air with no specifics.

Why Edo PDP Officials Are Against Directive To Resign

Even more, the original PDP members are claiming that all appointments and positions presently in the Obaseki government have gone to the APC tendency that came with the governor before the election.

The prospects of a smooth harmonization are, however, in doubt given mutterings by leaders of the aboriginal PDP many of whom were not present. Many of them also complained that the meeting was impromptu as the meeting was called within 24 hours.

The chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi was present though, Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice-chairman of the party who led the governor’s campaign last year was conspicuously absent. A source at the meeting said he gave an excuse for his absence.

Party sources have alleged that the harmonization is also being seen as an opportunity by Edo PDP leaders who lost out in the PDP congresses that led to the emergence of executives at the various levels to reposition themselves within the party by putting thier surrogates with positions of those who resgin.

The outcome of the harmonisation if possible is expected within the week.

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