Be Warry Of Antics Of Persons Claiming To Be Members of PDP – Aziegbemi Advises Genuine Members

…Says PDP is very much intact, stronger

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the PDP in the State is very strong and intact, calling on all genuine members to be wary of the antics of a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of the party, but in reality, they are out to destroy the PDP in the South-South region and across the country.

Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi made the remarks during a stakeholders meeting in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Azeigbemi said the party has remained focused on reclaiming its mandate after it was stolen from Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the ruling party and would not be distracted with the scheming by enemies from both outside and within.

Speaking, one of the leaders of the party in Edo State, Chief Tom Ikimi who lauded the commitment of genuine party members said the only way forward for the country now is the survival of PDP and urged all and sundry to rally round for the main opposition party in the country.

Ikimi noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was hijacked by some forces who are not working for the interest of Nigerians, but desperately working to destroy the PDP, saying “the only way for the country is the survival of the PDP.”

According to him, “My assessment is that the APC was hijacked by some forces and converted into a structure that was not of the best interest of our nation. We are all witnesses of their operations so far and indeed the disaster that we are going through. That party is now a collection of people possessing only personal interests.

“Take a look at the United States. When the Republicans do not serve the proper purpose, the Democrats take over, and in the UK, that is the same situation between Labour and the Conservatives.

“Despite the grave difficulties that our country faces today under the APC, it seems that all we are now presented with are just the desperate efforts to destroy the PDP so that the country may become a one party dictatorship.

“It is very clear to me that the only way forward for our country now is the survival of the PDP. History will certainly be kind to all of you gathered here. With the successful and appropriate adjustments at the highest leadership level, which I see now ongoing, I believe all will be well with the PDP and our country in a non-too distant future,” Ikimi said.

Ikimi added that the party would become stronger after the crisis, saying, “In Edo State, the PDP lost the State in 2007/8. After that loss for about 13 years, it had a rather failed leadership in the state that could not win any elections.

“Thank God some leaders stepped in. Many of them are with us here today and delivered the state back to PDP in 2020. In 2024, as you all know, our distinguished candidate, Barr Asue Ighodalo, with his running mate Barr. Osarodion Ogie won the election, hands down. We are still pursuing the retrieval of their genuine mandate.

“I am confident that in the end, justice will prevail. There are a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of our party, but in reality, they are agents of some other people with incredible personal ambitions. These persons have fought to tear down our party during the past four years or so.

“It is now crystal clear that some of them who claimed to lead the party in Edo State from 2007 to 2019 or so spent that whole time working seriously against the party,” he said.

Ikimi, who noted that Edo State is a key state in the South South Region, said the South-South region has been a key PDP region with all the 6 states in PDP for a long time.

He lamented that, “Unfortunately, once again, we have some persons with personal ambition who are committed to destroying the PDP unity and strength in the South-South region for a mess of portage.

“It was indeed a very welcome development when very recently the Supreme Court ruled that the leadership structure and management of political parties remains the internal affairs of each party.

“The National Working Committee of our party has quite appropriately established caretaker committees to operate the running of our party in states where such structures are necessary which incidentally includes Edo State.

“Recently, there was an illegal conference held in a hotel in Calabar where the group involved claimed they were electing a new PDP South-South Exco. To cut a long story short, the National Working Committee (NWC) had since dissociated itself from the charade. The NWC has, since then, established a caretaker committee for the South-South led by Hon Emma Ogidi. The recent activities of members of that illegal group are indeed very highly offensive,” Ikimi stated.

Ikimi, who said that the PDP stakeholders meeting is very important, added that the meeting conveys a very clear message to the country that the PDP in Edo State is strong and vibrant.

Ikimi cautioned all those who are now fully in the opposing party but pretending to still be in PDP to desist saying their actions amount to performing criminal acts.

Ikimi said that the APC attack on the South-South region has been intense recently following the defection of the Delta State Governor to APC and the defection of his predecessor, Dr. Ifeany Okowa to the APC.