BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign train landed in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Saturday with the Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike camp still unavailable and unwilling to join the rally for the 2023 general elections.
Conspicuously missing in action as the Party Presidential Standard bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar’s Campaign team stormed the ancient City were members of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legacy Group, a faction loyal to the party’s National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, a strong ally of Governor Wike
Expectedly, Governor Wike and his Oyo State, Benue State, Abia State, and Enugu State counterparts shunned the event held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. Others who gave the PDP Presidential rally cold shoulders were the Senator Representing Edo South Senatorial District, Sen Matthew Urhoghide, Edo State PDP Vice Chairman, Barr Henry Omagbon, House of Representatives Member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Engr Ogbeide-Ihama, Mr Pascal Ugbome, Barr Lucy Omagbon, Engr Mike Onolemenmen, Larry Okunbor, and Ogieva Okunbor
The Legacy group was also missing during the inauguration of the Edo state Campaign Council on Friday, October 20, 2022, where Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is the Chairman of the Edo Campaign Council assured that the state is ready to deliver votes for the PDP in 2023 General Elections, hence the suspension of governance in Edo for politics.
There was also the presence of heavily armed security men in and around the Ogbemudia Stadium, as an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) manned with sternly-looking police officers is stationed at the entrance of the Stadium.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq. had said; “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the ploy by a group of unscrupulous individuals planning to disrupt the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, scheduled to hold in the state, tomorrow, Saturday, October 22, 2022.
In his address to PDP faithfuls in Edo State, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of destroying Nigeria and every opportunity in the last eight years and urged Nigerians to openly reject the party at the polls come 2023.
He promised not to disappoint Nigerians by fulfilling all his promises if elected into office, noting that security and economics would be given top priority by his government.
Appreciating the people of Edo State for giving Governor Obaseki a second term in office, the PDP presidential candidate said it was heartwarming that the voters ensured “Edo was not Lagos state.”
