A former Special Adviser on Politics to ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Charles Idahosa, has called for an end to suspension and counter suspensions of leaders of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Idahosa, who defected from the All Progressives Congress APC) to PDP last year, also sought the intervention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in the lingering crisis which he alleged has put the integrity of Governor Godwin Obaseki at stake.
He said before Obaseki joined the PDP in 2020 and contested on its platform, there were three factions in the party, adding that some leaders who were sidelined before the entrance of Obaseki saw the turn of events as an opportunity for their liberation.
Idahosa said, “The old hawks in PDP who run the party as if it is a cult alienated defectors who followed Obaseki to join PDP, and frustrated efforts to reconcile the various factions in PDP, to pave the way for a peaceful harmonization and reintegration of stranded new members into the ruling party in the state.
“I concur also with those that believe that the topmost delivery that Edo people knew the governor in his first four years is missing right now one year into his second tenure.
“The truth is that when we were running from scorpions, we didn’t know that we were bedding with snakes. We didn’t know where we were running to. Now the snakes are higher. Integrity is at stake for the governor and those of us that urged him to move to PDP. That is the problem we have.
“His first four years were action. You will all agree with me that in this first year, he has been very slow because he is completely distracted. He has not been able to put of his house together because of these distractions.
“The integrity that stood us out as Edo people since humans records existed is what I urge all of us to fearlessly and jealously guard. Let’s not make a mockery of our struggle as codified in ‘Togba’ and ‘Ogbane’.
“There are a lot of people that have political ambitions. But as it is today, none of them can fulfill their ambitions because they are not members of PDP.
“It is true that we’re running from scorpions including those of us that urged Obaseki to move to PDP, we cannot become political ‘herdsmen’ roaming from point A to point B and C because of some few greedy political lightweights.
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“The NWC of the party should do something about what is going on in Edo State. The Edo issues would have been long resolved like Benue and Sokoto state if NEC was up to their responsibility.
“The man (Obaseki) has begged, cajoled, threatened, and done all possible things to make PDP harmonise, but for the personal gains with 2023 insight, the old hawks in Edo PDP are resisting. But sooner than later, the right thing would be done. I hereby appeal to the governor and all stakeholders to stop the unnecessary suspension and counter suspension forthwith. It is distracting us.”
The PDP chieftain assured that Governor Obaseki will deliver Edo people if they stop the distractions and allow him to concentrate on governance.
