S’South govs boycott PDP’s committee on Edo poll

All five Peoples Democratic Party governors boycotted the inauguration of the PDP’s committee for the July 14 Edo State governorship election in Abuja on Wednesday.

Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) were named as members of the 49-man committee saddled with the responsibility of ensuring victory for the party at the poll.

The committee is headed by the Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

Apart from the governors, those who also refused to show up at the event, included the President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also missing were the PDP senators and members of the House of Representatives from the South-South.

Apart from the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, other ministers from the zone were absent from the ceremony.

Inaugurating the committee, the PDP Chairman, Dr. Bamaga Tukur, said winning the election was a task requiring the support of all members.

He told the committee that the National Working Committee of the party would not toy with the election, as it would be the first to be conducted “under my watch as the chairman of the PDP”.

The former minister said, “The history of our party cannot be complete without Edo State. The PDP and Edo State are intertwined, as very important founding fathers of the party are from the state.

“This relationship between the party and Edo State from its unique perspective has therefore positioned the state as a must-have PDP state.

“You are aware, this is the first election to be conducted under my watch as the National Chairman of the PDP. I wish to reiterate my commitment and determination to ensure this election as a major victory for the party.”

Sambo assured the leadership of the party that his committee would not disappoint the party.

The VP said he was aware of the importance of the South-South to the PDP, adding that it was regrettable that Edo slipped away from the party during the last governorship election.

He said, “The President has said it and I want to repeat it that we shall continue to have free and fair election. It will be one man, one vote. It will be free and fair election in the state.”