By METROWATCH
More confusion Sunday trailed the February 4, 2024 Ward Congresses in Edo State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), found itself itself constituting two committees within 48 hours for one exercise.
But the chairman of the second committee it hurriedly reconstituted, Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State, was feared not on ground in Edo State at the time the exercise was going on in the state.
metrowatchxtra.com , however, gathered from a top PDP member that Mbah could not make it to Edo State because he was stranded at Abuja airport.
Other members of the new committee, appointed today – the day of the exercise – are: Governor of Taraba State, Kefas Agbu, Hon. Marie Ebikake, Engr Dare akinwale, and Hon. Pascal Adigwe.
Umar M. Bature, PDP National Organising Secretary, said in the letter to Uba: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of our Great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has approved your nomination to serve as CHAIRMAN on the WARD CONGRESSES ELECTORAL COMMITTEE to conduct Party Congresses in EDO STATE for the purpose of electing 3-Man AD-HOC WARD DELEGATES.
The Congresses are scheduled for SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 , 2024, at each of the 192 Ward Offices in Edo State.”
GOERNOR SEYI MAKINDE…
In rejecting his appointment, Makinde in a letter to the National Working Committee, NWC cited late information as to his appointment and even more the adulteration of the list of electoral officers with government officials from Edo and Delta States.
He particularly cited the appointment of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly as the Electoral Officer for his local government.
The withdrawal of Governor Makinde came as nine of the governorship aspirants in a strongly worded letter to the NWC expressed outrage over the adulteration of the lists of electoral officials with government officials.
The petition by the aspirants was signed by Philip Shaibu, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anslem Ojezua and Felix Akhabue.
Others who signed the petition were Martin Uhomibhi, Hajia Hadizat Umoru, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, Dr Osaro Oaiwu and Arthure Esene.
The exception was Mr Asue Ighodalo.
In rejecting his appointment, Governor Makinde said that he was only informed on Friday, February 2, 2024 of his appointment for the conduct of the ward congresses that were scheduled to commence between February 3 and 4 of 2024. He said that he had already scheduled activities for those days and the late information of his appointment prevented him from rescheduling his activities.
“Our great party is known for conducting very transparent primaries inlcudig presidential primaries. This, in my opinion, should be the benchmark for the NWC’s conduct of elections ad associated activities across the board.”
