Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike has lamented what he claims as the betrayal of Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama despite painfully sacrificing his 2020 governorship aspiration to allow Governor Godwin Obaseki win re-election.
Speaking at a New Year banquet in Port-Harcourt, Wike alleged that he along with several other governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP sat for 12 straight hours to persuade Ogbeide-Ihama to step down his governorship aspiration despite being the frontrunner to pick the 2020 ticket.
According to him as a condition for stepping down, promises were made to Ogbeide-Ihama and the Dan Orbih led leadership of the party among which was the nomination of four commissioners.
However, Wike lamented that none of the agreements reached between Obaseki and the PDP leadership of the party was fulfilled.
He spoke against the background of growing sentiments by party leaders for Ogbeide-Ihama to pick the 2024 ticket of the PDP.
Wike said:
“When the heat was on in Edo State, this young man (Ogbeide-Ihama) was the frontrunner for the governorship election.
“PDP governors came, they spoke to me, we met in Government House, Port Harcourt from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am the next day.
“When you don’t want to do your own part you bring blackmail and propaganda. This young man…I told him, we should tell Orbih, withdraw, don’t run for this governorship again.
“I said don’t run. We then agreed what will be given to their group. He spent so-so amount of money, give them four commissioners, but not one was kept. Not one was kept.
“And then the next you will see, blackmail, Wike wants to control this, Wike wants to control that, but you didn’t know Wike wants to control when you came to Government House Port Harcourt to sit from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am.”
Ogbeide-Ihama following his decision to step down for Obaseki became his campaign coordinator for Oredo Federal Constituency and his chief agent at the INEC Collation Centre in the election.
Edo North PDP Chairmen Reject Endorsement Of Asue Ighodalo
All six chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo North have expressed outrage over the endorsement of Asue Ighodalo for the party’s governorship ticket by some party leaders in the name of Edo North Senatorial district.
The six PDP local government chairmen alongside other party leaders expressed outrage over what they described as the illegal act of using the name of the party to foist their personal preferences.
The six local government chairmen in their joint resolution, said:
The Edo North PDP leaders forum notes with grave sadness and total disgust, the purported Fugar endorsement of Mr. Asue Ighodalo, an aspirant for the exalted office of Governor of Edo state.
The entire process and pronouncement is in absolute variance with the principles of democracy and a free, fair and level playing ground for all bonafide PDP members who meet the criteria to run for office .
In the 25 years of our democracy, the party has moved away from such draconian and illegal means of foisting aspirants on the people .
It was therefore a disgrace to watch the pathetic drama that played out in Fugar by a bunch of inconsequential Political efulefus who amused their audience with the said adoption at the meeting.
Needless to say the conveners of that gathering had no locus standi to parade themselves as custodians, judge and jury over the party candidate come February, 2024.
It begs the question, what legacy will this group of Men involved with this dishonest and unlawful act bequeath to the younger generation of PDP faithfuls in Edo North?
The Edo North leaders forum hereby states unequivocally, that all party aspirants for the office of Governor (whether from the North, South or Central districts of the state) will be given free, fair and level playing ground to actualise their ambition in accordance with the party guidelines and constitution.
We urge party members to beware of this deceit and be on full alert of the nefarious activities of these people .
It is pertinent to note that we reject in absolute terms the so called endorsement of Mr. Asue Ighodalo in Edo North .
Signed
PDP Edo North, Senatorial Chairman.
Hon. Saiki Balogun
PDP Senatorial Secretary.
Hon. Baba Sheriff Idenobemhe
PDP, Akoko-Edo
1. LGA Chairman Hon. Kayode Ogunubi.
2. Leader Eng. Fred Attah.
3. Leader Barr. Bankole Balogun.
PDP, Estako Central
1. LGA Chairman. Hon. Kassim Abdulkareem.
2. Leader Alhaji Aminu Isunuevho Iloremhe.
3. Leader Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf Shaban.
PDP, Estako West.
1. LGA Chairman. Momodu Abdulkarim Azegbeobor
2. Leader Alhaji Duru Sule Yesufu
3. Leader Clement Osikhena
PDP, Estako East
1. LGA Chairman. Hon. Umoru Vincent Ekpemoriri.
2. Leader. Barr. Tony Innih.
3. Leader. Hon. Abas Momoh Jega
PDP, Owan East
1. LGA Chairman. Hon. Leslie Aikhumenkeokhai Ebozojie
2. Leader. Hon. George Izobo
3. Leader. Hon. Felix Isuku.
PDP, Owan West
1. LGA Chairman. Hon. Moses Omogbai.
2. Leader. Comrade Samson Ojeawere.
3. Leader. Barr. Adelaja David Okun