The chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has advised nine aspirants who are unhappy with the conduct of the state delegate election to take their protest to the appeal panel that will sit on February 7 in Abuja.

The nine aspirants, including the current deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and former speaker of the state assembly, Anselm Ojezua, had petitioned the acting national chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, alleging irregularities and bias in the election process.

A controversial election

The election of the ad hoc delegates, which took place on January 31, was meant to select the representatives of the party at the ward level who will vote for the governorship candidate of the party in the September 21 election.

However, the election was marred by controversy, as the chairman of the electoral committee, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, resigned his position before the election, citing personal reasons. He was replaced by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, a move that was rejected by some of the aspirants.

The aspirants claimed that the election was not transparent, fair or credible, and that some of the electoral officers were abducted, intimidated or compromised. They also accused the state PDP leadership of favouring some aspirants over others.

A call for dialogue

Aziegbemi, who spoke to journalists on Monday, said he disagreed with the allegations of the aspirants, describing the election as the best he had witnessed since he joined the party in 1999. He challenged anyone with evidence of malpractice to present it to the appeal panel.

He said the party aimed to ensure it remained in office by winning the governorship election, and that the party had carried everyone along and left the door of reconciliation open.

Aziegbemi urged the aspirants to be mindful of their utterances, which could tarnish the image of the party and create division among its members.

He also appealed to them to dialogue with the party leadership and other stakeholders to resolve their grievances amicably.

A wait-and-see attitude

One of the aspirants, Ojezua, told The PUNCH that they would be present at the appeal panel on February 7 and lodge their complaint. He, however, said that the outcome of the panel would determine their next line of action.

When asked if the group would approach the court for redress, he said that they would keep their options open.

He said that they were not satisfied with the way the election was conducted, and that they wanted a level playing field for all the aspirants.

He also said that they were not afraid of losing, but of being cheated.

A hope for unity

The Edo State PDP is facing a tough challenge from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which is also embroiled in a leadership crisis.

The incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, who defected from the APC to the PDP last year, is seeking a second term in office.

He is expected to face stiff opposition from the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was the PDP candidate in the 2016 election.

Both parties have vowed to win the election and deliver good governance to the people of Edo State.

However, analysts have warned that the internal wrangling within the parties could affect their chances of victory, and have called for peace and unity among the stakeholders.

They have also urged the electoral body, the security agencies and the civil society to ensure a free, fair and credible election that will reflect the will of the people.

Source: Punch