Social political group, under the aegis of Esan South East for Justice, yesterday, raised the alarm over the alleged removal of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Kenneth Imansuangbon, from the national delegates list, describing the action as criminal and undemocratic.

Imansuangbon had, last weekend, at a congress in Ubiaja, the administrative headquarters of Esan South East Council, won with 156 votes against his opponent Giwa Agbomherere, who scored 50 votes.

While appealing to Governor Godwin Obaseki to intervene in the matter, they also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and the DSS to investigate and ensure that those behind the mischievous act were exposed to save democracy.

A statement made available to newsmen in Benin City by the coordinator of the group, Imafidon Ernest, described the removal of Imansuangbon, who was a governorship aspirant 2020 from the delegates list as undemocratic.

He called on the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to caution the state leadership of the party, led by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.

The group expressed alleged that some characters within the party submitted fake list to the national leadership of the party and delisted the delegate for Esan South East.

“It is no longer news to our group that the party’s state chairman is out to do the hatchet bidding of his pay masters to the detriment of the people of his locality, where he hails from.

“We are, however, using the opportunity to call on the national leadership of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, to intervene quickly against this impunity. It is clear that the action of these perpetrators is fuelled by greed, political gangsterism, criminal tendency and selfishness to continue to fuel crisis and division in the state PDP.”

Meanwhile, Imansuangbon, in an interview with The Guardian, said he had sent a petition to the national chairman of the party over the list.

A copy of the petition, which he made available to our correspondent, was addressed to the national leadership of the party and dated May 17, 2022.