With only five months left until the Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024, the Legacy Group faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state is calling for the removal of Godwin Omobayo from his position as the new deputy governor of the state.
At a recent Edo Central PDP Leaders and Stakeholders Meeting in Irrua, spearheaded by Dan Orbih, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South South Zone, the demand was made.
Orbih stated during the meeting that the reversal of Omobayo’s appointment is a key condition for their support during the upcoming election. He also pointed out that failure to address their grievances might lead the group to work against the party.
According to Orbih, Omobayo was a member of the Labour Party and not the PDP at the time of his appointment, which goes against the expectation of the party supporters who voted for a PDP member as the deputy governor.
Emphasizing the need for party unity, Orbih urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to address their concerns promptly to ensure a united front for the upcoming election.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the PDP in Edo State and criticized the performance of the Obaseki administration, claiming it had not met the expectations of the people.
Orbih highlighted the importance of selecting a candidate capable of addressing the state’s challenges and providing effective leadership, regardless of party affiliation, for the betterment of Edo State.
In a show of appreciation, Orbih commended APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo for his efforts to push for repairs on the Benin-Auchi Road.
The meeting served as a platform to convey a strong message to the PDP leadership at various levels to rectify the perceived injustices faced by legacy party members in Edo State to avoid resistance from within.
Former deputy governor Philip Shaibu voiced concerns about the acceptability of the PDP candidate due to his outsider status, while former House of Representative member Ogbeide Ihama rejected any candidate brought in from Lagos to govern Edo State, representing the sentiments of the Legacy PDP group.