More intrigues have emerged ahead of the Edo Governorship Primaries as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday barred statutory delegates and ward executives from partaking in the election.
By this development, metrowatchxtra.com , gathered that the 186 such aides appointed by the Governor in the last quarter of 2023 for the Edo South zone alone, and others before them, may not be allowed to take part in the primaries.
Only three ad-hoc delegates to be elected from each ward on Saturday and a Special Delegate per local government are to partake in the primary, it was learnt.
Pursuant to this effect, the National Working Committee, NWC on Thursday appointed ward caretaker committees to take over the functions of the ward executives at the ward level.
However, in what political stakeholders are seeing as a major blow to the outgoing governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the PDP has reappointed the outgoing ward committee officials to act as caretaker committee members.
It would be noted that the party structure including the mainstream of ward officials of the PDP are loyal to the Chief Dan Orbih led mainstream or the Legacy geoup of the party.
In a statement confirming the appointment of the former ward officials in caretaker positions, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon Debo Ologunagba, said:
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of the Edo State Ward Caretaker Committees to function for a period of 30 days effective today, February 1, 2024.
“The decision of the NWC is predicated on the expiration of the tenure of the Edo State Ward Executive Committees today.
“Consequently, the NWC has approved the appointment of the out-going Edo State Ward Executive Committees to function as Ward Caretaker Committees for a period of 30 days so as to avoid any vacuum in this very important organ of the Party in Edo State.
“The NWC enjoins all Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in Edo State to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the Party in the State.”
Meanwhile, the decision of the party not to use statutory delegates was explained to the court ruling that was given before the 2023 General Election that nullified the use of the special delegates.
“You know the court has not reversed that decision, so the party will for now only use only ad-hoc delegates. So, no matter who you are if you want to be a delegate to vote you have to go and contest to be an ad hoc delegate.”
The decision according to one source may have rendered impotent the hundreds of appointees made by Governor Obaseki ahead of the primary season.
