Solve The ‘Small Quarrel’ In Edo PDP – Obaseki Tells Iyorchia Ayu

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has appealed to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to help resolve the challenges facing the party in the state.

Obaseki made the call on Thursday when he played host to Ayu and some other national leaders of the party during a rally in Benin, the state capital.

According to Obaseki, the crisis plaguing the Edo State chapter of the PDP which he described as a ‘small quarrel’ is capable of scuttling the chances of the party in the state and also its contributions to the 2023 presidential election.

“The only issue that can stop us is the small quarrel in Edo PDP; once you can solve the quarrel in Edo and other states, we will take over power in 2023,” he said.

On his part, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has declared that Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki won’t defect from the party.

Ayu gave the assurance amidst the challenges and disagreement threatening the PDP in Edo State.

Naija News reports the National Chairman’s declaration comes after Obaseki has declared that he has no intention of dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This is as he called out another chieftain of the party, Dan Orbih who is the PDP National Vice Chairman (south-south) to accept his leadership in Edo, urging him not to cause bad blood among party members, adding that those not ready to accept him as the leader should leave the party for him.

Also, the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu lamented that all is not well with the PDP in Edo State.

He said the challenges rocking the Edo PDP is why some of those who joined Governor Godwin Obaseki in dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP in 2020 are considering leaving the party again.

Shaibu however said despite the obvious challenges, he would remain with the PDP.

But the Edo Deputy Governor called on the party’s national leaders to integrate the aggrieved supporters who dumped APC for the PDP into the umbrella party, saying the state chapter has done the needful but the national is yet to comply.

However, speaking on Thursday during his visit to Edo State, Dr. Ayu assured that all the challenges facing the party will be resolved.

He added that the national body of the PDP will set up a team to look into all the issues and address all grievances of the stakeholders.

Ayu further warned PDP members in Edo not to allow any mistake that will allow the opposition party to seize power again.

He said: “The party will set up a team to resolve the crisis and we will ensure that the governor does not leave.”

“Obaseki is not going any where, we have captured him and through him we are going to unite PDP. Let no one deceive you, Obaseki is not leaving PDP. Nigerians will see how we will receive all those from other parties. In 2023, we shall be back in power”.

“Edo people should learn from my own state, Benue. If you fight, you will lose the election. I am going to bring a team that will settle the issue in Edo”.

“I have been working from behind, I am happy that the Deputy Governor, Shaibu said the truth that the leadership of the party in the state is not working. We are very close to solve the crisis in Edo.

“Once the leadership is divided, you won’t get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms”.

Naija News understands party chieftains present at Thursday’s rally include the former governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jibrin; Senator Matthew Urhoghide; Senator Clifford Odia; Chief Tom Ikimi and PDP National Women Leader, Josephine Anenih, Edo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun and State Chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, among others but the PDP National Vice chairman, South South, Chief Dan Orbih who is believed to be at loggerheads with Obaseki was conspicuously missing.