The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up an 11-member committee to resolve the crisis rocking its Edo State chapter ahead of the governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.

The committee, chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emmanuel Enoidem, as secretary, is mandated to reconcile all aggrieved members and stakeholders in the state.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) announced the formation of the committee in a statement on Friday, saying it was in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the committee would work to ensure the success of the party and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the forthcoming election.

A Divided House

The PDP in Edo State has been embroiled in a bitter internal wrangling over who should fly the party’s flag in the governorship race.

The crisis erupted after Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP in June 2023, following their fallout with the former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki and Shaibu were received into the PDP by the national leadership of the party, who granted them waivers to contest for the party’s ticket.

However, their defection did not go down well with some of the PDP aspirants and leaders in the state, who felt sidelined and betrayed by the party’s decision.

Consequently, two contenders, Shaibu and Obaseki’s favoured candidate, Ighodalo, emerged as the governorship candidates for the 2024 Edo elections following primaries held on February 22, 2023.

This deepened the division within the Edo State Chapter of the party, as both camps claimed to be the authentic representatives of the PDP.

While the NWC presented Ighodalo with the Certificate of Return on Tuesday, Shaibu, on Wednesday, visited the party’s national headquarters in Abuja and threatened legal action, asserting himself as the genuine candidate.

A Ray of Hope

The formation of the reconciliation committee by the PDP is seen as a ray of hope for the party, which is facing a formidable challenge from the APC and its candidate, Tim David, a popular businessman and philanthropist.

The committee, which comprises former governors, senators, and other eminent party members, is expected to reach out to the aggrieved parties and persuade them to bury their differences and work together for the common goal of winning the election.

The committee members are: Governor Bala Mohammed (Chairman), Emmanuel Enoidem (Secretary), Jacob Otorkpa (Administrative Secretary), Former Governor of Kaduna State and Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, Former Akwa Ibom State Military Administrator, Tunde Ogheha, Senator Mrs. Stella Omu, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Senator Olalere Oyewunmi, Professor Sandy Onor, and Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold.

Also, the PDP expressed confidence that the committee would deliver on its mandate and urged all critical stakeholders and members of the party in Edo State to remain steadfast and continue to work hard for the success of the party and its candidate.

The party also appealed to the people of Edo State to support the PDP and Ighodalo, who it described as a credible and competent leader who would bring development and prosperity to the state.

Source: Punch