PDP leaders back Obaseki, Shaibu as stakeholders canvass constitution review

Following the internal crisis in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some leaders of Edo South Senatorial District of the party, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence in Governor Godwin Obaseki as its leader.

In a six-point communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Benin City, they also backed the Deputy Governor, Phillip Shuaibu and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie to retain the positions with a view to strengthening the party in the state.

In the communiqué, which was read by its secretary, Wilson Evbuomwan, the stakeholders endorsed the immediate integration of fresh entrants into the executive committees of the party at all levels.

They said the gesture would pave the way for peaceful co-existence among all party members and result in the overall development of the state.

They noted that the incident that resulted in the letter sent to the party’s national chairman by some members of the state working committee in which they demanded exclusion of some party members from the ward, councils and the state working committee, was unnecessary.

The stakeholders also lamented that the Senator Mathew Urhoghide-led harmonisation committee was yet to commence its assignment.

“There would have been no need for the letter from the State Working Committee to the national leadership, if the harmonisation committee, led by Urhoghide, was allowed to commence its assignment towards the integration of all PDP members.

“A disciplinary committee should be set up to investigate and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures against any person or persons that want to frustrate the activities of the harmonisation committee in Edo South Senatorial District,” they said.

The communiqué, however, affirmed Evbuomwan as Secretary of Edo South Senatorial District, noting that members from the seven councils of the zone attended the meeting.

Similarly, PDP leaders and Executive members of Egor Council pledged their support for the governor’s effort to provide quality leadership in the state.

MEANWHILE, Obaseki and other stakeholders in the state have canvassed a review of the country’s constitution to reflect the will of the people.

The stakeholders made the resolution during the Edo State Summit on the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on the 1999 Constitution Review at the Government House, Benin City.

Other top government officials, who attended the summit are Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun, community, religious and traditional leaders and heads of civil society groups, among others.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, noted that the constitution review was an opportunity for the people to own the process of making a true Nigeria Constitution, rather than delegating it to some people.