Edo Governorship Election: We Will Win Without You And Other Defectors, PDP Tells Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted that it would win 2020’s governorship election in the state despite the defection of some of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The opposition party based its position on the fact that if PDP could win elections in some APC states in the last general elections it would win elections in Edo.

Edo PDP chairman, Dan Orbih described the defection of former governorship aspirant, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and some members as unfortunate. He, however, said they were given good positions and allowed to contest elections when they joined the party in 2014.

READ: Former PDP Governorship Aspirant Osagie Ize-Iyamu Is Set to Defects to APC

In his address to PDP leaders at an enlarged meeting, Orbih said many PDP states have pledged to stand by the Edo PDP and ensured its return to power in the state.

The chairman has therefore called for a review of the PDP constitution especially as regards the issue of waiver for new members to contest elections. According to him, allowing new members to contest elections and hold elective positions do not show a reward for party loyalty.

“It is unfortunate that when people want to leave the party, they don’t say anything good about the party again. If we have any apologies, we must apologise for the way and manner the party has accepted in the past those who destroy the party, who will come back to the party and who we will accept and give all opportunities to excel.

“It is unfortunate they criticise all things in the party. If the party was as bad as they want to make it look, they would not have come back to the party.”

While stating that he is working for the good of the party, he said the next EXCO will learn from their experience.

“The party for some reasons removed certain clauses from our constitution. I will fight for the issue of waiver to be revisited. It is about the party. Let the past experience guide the next executive.

“The exit of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu provides an ample opportunity for members of the party to have sober reflection on whether the party should not revisit the issue of waiver for newcomers who are interested in contesting elective positions in the party.

“This idea of giving priority to them and allowing them take positions preeminent over those who have been in the party is an issue we need to have to look at so that we don’t have to run a party where people will feel, see the party from the perspective of using it as a platform for contesting election and once they are unable to in their election, they will look elsewhere to shop for another platform to contest for election.

READ: APC Urges Police IG to Probe Attack on Oshiomhole

“But if we revisit this issue of waiver it means for every person who is interested in contesting under the platform of our party you must stay for a minimum period of time before you will be considered qualified to contest. I think that again we will take care of party loyalty; people should not just leave the party and come back to the party and you give them elective ticket. We should start looking at it’, he reasoned.

“Before Ize-Iyamu joined the PDP, the party was strong and united. His exit has not affected us as party,” he added.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *