Just In : Fresh Battle Looms In Edo As PDP Clashes With Obaseki Over Successor (DETAILS)
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a red alert to all its gubernatorial aspirants.
The party contends that outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki does not possess the constitutional authority to administer the oath of office to his successor.
This assertion was made in an official statement released by the party’s spokesperson, Vasco Ogie, on Saturday.
The statement emphasized that the sole prerogative to inaugurate the incoming governor lies with the state’s Chief Judge.
The statement reads, “The Edo chapter of PDP wishes to inform the general public and teeming supporters that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable for the conduct of the Governorship election in Edo State in 2024. We call on all our intending aspirants to take note of the timelines of activities.
“On Friday, September 29, 2023, the Governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki, addressed journalists and expressed his desire to “finish strong” and swear in a successor on November 11th, 2024. We politely disagree here and make bold to state that it is the Chief Judge that has the constitutional duty to swear in who will succeed him.
‘The Governor further stated that, “It is not in my place to now determine, appoint, or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.
“On this, we agree completely with the Governor. Our only reservation on this is that he has NOT exhibited fairness, equity, and justice in conducting the affairs of government since his assumption of office.
“We hereby assure Edo people that the ideals of “fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion” mentioned above are the hallmarks of the PDP which will not be lost in our quest to nominate a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, from amongst our committed and dedicated Party loyalists who have stood by the Party all these years. Our nominee will be a candidate acceptable to all Edo people. The guidelines of the Party will be strictly adhered to in nominating the candidate.
“While we await the publication of the guidelines for activities from the National Working Committee, we assure all our party faithful that we shall conduct a free and fair process to pick a candidate in February 2024.”
