The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Friday inaugurated the Caretaker Committee members of the State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with the assurance that the party will reclaim its stolen mandate from the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Governor Obaseki who inaugurated the caretaker committee members five days to the end of his administration said they were set up by the party’s National Working Committee, NWC.
He said the committee was to run the party’s affairs pending the election of new executives.
According to him, the Committee set up under Section 29(2)(b) of PDP’s Constitution (2017 as amended), is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the Party in Edo State, as stipulated in Section 21(2) (a-b) of the Party’s Constitution for a period not exceeding 90 days (3 months) or till a new Executive Committee is elected.
The governor named Tony Aziegbemi, the former state chairman of the party as head of the 10-man committee while Henry Duke Tenebe is Secretary.
Other members are, Chris Nehikhare, the outgoing State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Harrison Omagbon, Fidel Igenegbale, Tony Anenih Jnr, Arch. Bishop Anthony Okosun, Segun Saiki, Adezat Kuburat Ibrahim, and Augustine Edosomwan.
Speaking at the inauguration, the outgoing Governor, expressed confidence that the party would reclaim its mandate allegedly stolen by the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the September 21 governorship poll
“We want a cohesive party as we fight for our stolen mandate and I am sure we will get it back. Our mandate was stolen in broad daylight; everybody saw how they stole the mandate of the people.
“We have evidence to show how our mandate was stolen and by the grace of God, we will recover it. It will be difficult for them to go away with this stolen mandate.
“We have a process in government, they stole our mandate, yes but we have laws, and there is a way things are done. We are inaugurating a new government in Edo State and the Edo State Government is not involved.
“People behave as if there is no law, forgetting that we are guided by constitution and law; there are procedures to handle things. They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand new government and a brand new State?”
“Illegality parades the land and we have to be patient for a while as our democracy must work. We know how they stole our mandate; we have evidence of how they stole it but let’s see how they get out of this.
“Our people came out to cast their votes for our party, we are challenging that result and we know victory will be ours. Let’s play our parts as politicians.
“We know these people are great liars and good at deception. We have to be out there talking and never allow their lies to take over.
“The tribunal hearing will start by December and we want the people to be alert. The people are asking questions; it shows they are interested. The greatest thing we need now is harmony in the party and we need to talk to our people more now.
“The party must be in touch with the local government chairmen every week. The party must be in touch with the House of Assembly members; to let the people know what is going on”, he said.
