The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has come under fire from PDP leaders for going to court over claims that the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is ready to remove him from office without first using the party’s internal conflict resolution procedures.
The party leaders who convened on Sunday in the Igueben Local Government Area came from the State of Edo’s Central Senatorial District.
A number of PDP leaders were present at the meeting, including the chairman of the Edo State PDP, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, the former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tom Ikimi, the former senator for the Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Clifford Odia, the former member of the House of Representatives for the Esan South East/Esan North East Federal Constituency, Sergius Ogun, and the former members of the House
In a statement released following the meeting, they stated: “An Extraordinary Meeting of leaders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central Senatorial District was convened today, August 13, 2023, in Igueben and current concerns affecting the Party in the State were reviewed.
“During the meeting, Chief Francis Ulinfun and Elder Johnny Abhulimen made a motion to express implicit trust in the governor of the state of Edo, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki. All the leaders present on behalf of the Party in Esanland unanimously agreed to approve the resolution.
The meeting “noted with satisfaction the swift and effective progress being made on the peace and reconciliation initiatives to unite the opposing forces within the Party, particularly in Esanland.
But it was noted with the utmost dismay that the relationship between our governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, was worsening.
“It is the collective opinion of the entire leadership of the PDP in Edo Central that the controversy was unnecessary and avoidable, considering that the main point of contention has to do with the issue of Governorship succession at the end of the current tenure,” they continued.
“We thus urge the Deputy Governor to drop his lawsuit right away and work with his Principal to find a political solution to the issue. We are certain that the Party’s state leadership will be able to settle any problems between our leaders in government.
“Finally, His Excellency Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has voiced his firm commitment and purpose to finish well and strong; we hereby identify with him in that resolution because we feel that nothing less will bode well for us, the Party, and our dear State. We thus call on everyone of good will to work with His Excellency to make Edo great once more.”
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