The last four years has been an absolute disaster for Edo State. The last week, more so, particularly.
The markers and indices are there for all to see. Only the blind, deaf, hallelujah boys and ancestor tax collectors would disagree.
I continue to maintain that Godwin Obaseki is an alien to the PDP and so it is very wrong to assume that the PDP is in power in Edo state.
Yes, Obaseki and a renegade group from the APC by hook or crook (more by crook) still run the state Government in the APC fashion they have been accustomed to.
And run it they have, in the most lack lustre manner we have seen, since the creation of the Mid-west Region.
The result is an absolute disaster. What the PDP now needs is fresh thinking, fresh ideas and a rejuvenated body.
The 2024 elections and its preparation affords this opportunity to put the party and the state back on track.
It is in this context that one is horrified at Dr Azigbemi’s faux pax and senseless declaration regarding the Governorship election and a candidate from his tribe. This is yet another shocking Obaseki scheme which the lame duck chairman shamefully executed to the chagrin of all right thinking people.
I have always been of the thinking that you need to have a mindset, DNA and understanding and stake in the party to be able to advance the cause of the party and the peoples of the party and the general population as a whole.
Aziegbemi has this time really gone overboard and must resign. This is an elementary politics 101 gaffe which must not be allowed to stand. Discipline must return to the party.
I have never been excited about Dr Tony, for the simple reason that his carriage and his customary phlegm, his presentation and disposition do not inspire confidence nor show any loyalty nor sincerity to the cause or to any noble cause.
So I am not shocked, nor disappointed that he, as the chairman of a party, tragically overshot the runway by going into his community, and openly campaigning and advancing the cause of sectional tribal politics in Edo State. This is the lowest of the low.
A Party Chairman, who should be a father of all, referee, umpire is now judge and jury and executioner?
This can’t and must not be allowed to stand . Simply put, he is badly tainted by this shocking and tactless presentation.
If we are to resort to primitive retrogressive tribal politics in this state, then we the Akoko-Edos have a lot more quest to shout for than any other tribal grouping in this state, as we are the only ones who have never had his son or daughter in the highest offices, yet we have capable people myself inclusive.
I have in separate discourses analysed the situation well enough as it affects Akoko -Edo and so this is not the place for that.
We in Akoko-Edo will support any son or daughter of this great state who has the PDP undeniable DNA. Homeboy or Home girl. Even though highly marginalised, even with its substantial election wining population and votes, we will not go down the path of tribal politics being advanced by Azigbemi and his backers.
But we choose to tow the path that is democratic , unifying and in the best interest of all of Edo state .
As 2024 beckons for Edo state, the challenge is to rid the state of all manners of dubious characters.
The Party cannot at this stage afford any more mavericks , jokers , opportunists and aliens into its fold .
The stakeholders of the party Must now rally round behind its organic leadership cultivated over several years and triumphs .( Triumphs which have now been watered down to no Senators and just one Rep member ) complete failure in my reckoning .
This is the time for the PDP under the leadership of Chief Dan Orbih to now fully assert itself.
And in so doing we must choose our candidate, a well known man or woman , with an unmistakable and undeniable PDP DNA from any part of this great state.
The process must be seamless with all stakeholders queuing behind the leadership and the candidate who emerges .The current situation may even demand a consensus candidate if the legacy coalition.
That is the PDP tradition. That is who we are.
This is the only way to reclaim our pride of place.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oladele Bankole-Balogun
Former Federal Commissioner Public Complaints Commission.
PDP Leader and Stakeholder
The Oteniete of Igarra
18th November 2023
