Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
In what many political watchers referred to as the mother of all party gatherings in the Edo Central chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Igueben, Edo state, South-South Nigeria, on Saturday, leaders and stakeholders of the party met to chart the way forward ahead of the 2024 gubernatorial election, which is generally believed to be the turn of the zone to produce the next governor for the state.
Rising from the meeting held at the country home of the former minister of information and a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tom Ikimi, the leaders agreed to work together as a united front with one voice to ensure that the zone produces the next governor, come 2024.
A former minister for Solid minerals, mines and steel and Edo central senator, Elder Odion Ugbesia, the immediate past Senator from the senatorial district, Engr. Clifford Ordia, attended the meeting.
Also, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Esan central/Esan west/Igueben federal constituency, Rt. Hon Chief Joe Edionwele, State party chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemin, Edo Central senatorial chairman and state vice chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun, former commissioners Barr. Anslem Ojezua, Hon Joe Okojie, Dr Francis Ulinkhifun, and many party faithful attended the meeting.
According to a report seen by Truth Live News, Chief Ikimi, in his opening remark, confirmed that he was in agreement with the outcome of the earlier held meeting at the residence of Senator Ugbesia and harped on the need for everyone to be united to be able to achieve the aim of producing the next governor.
All those who spoke at the meeting emphasized the need for total reconciliation to heal old wounds and agreed that the Esan governorship project remains sacrosanct.
Senatorial District PDP Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun., said the opening prayer
On his part, Chief Edionwele admonished that strict adherence to the party constitution is the only way that members could dwell together in peace.
Edionwele, who headed a reconciliation committee earlier set up to bring aggrieved members in the senatorial district, stated that members always need to visit home to see the situation of things:
Referring to the state chairman, Tony Aziegbemin, Edionwele recalled how the late National Leader Chief Tony Anenih was reaching out to party members through unscheduled visitations to their homes and advised Aziegbemin to always reach out to members at home.
He also observed that jettisoning of the party constitution contributed to the crisis.
In his words: “The truth is, we must learn to use the party’s constitution, 2017, as amended. The rules and regulations spelt out how everything can be done. And if you are using the Constitution, no problem will bother us as a party.” 7
Former House of Reps member, Rt. Hon Barr Friday Itulah, Hon John Yakubu, Deputy Speaker of the state house of Assembly, Mrs Maria Edeko and all the PDP Chairmen in the five Local Government Areas, and many others were in attendance.