By Sir Ralph Okhiria
It’s still like a dream for many diehard members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State, when last weekend the political structure and power that had departed from the party was unexpectedly restored.
For nearly 12 years running, the PDP had been in opposition in a state that has always been commonly regarded as the home of the party.
The defection arrangements which started like a wild rumour, soon became reality when the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who was earlier humiliated through his disqualification to participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, moved to PDP.
“To me, it’s still like a dream because for almost 12 years, some of us, the well-meaning members of the PDP have not only been expressing hope but have been praying and fasting that the party should bounce back to power in the state.
“Every gubernatorial election, we will pray and fast and thereafter hope for the best because we know for sure that the state is a PDP state but at the end of the various elections, INEC will for whatever reason will declare the APC winners.
“Even though the situation was frustrating, we kept on hoping that one day, our prayers will be answered by God”.
“So, you could imagine how we felt on that day, Friday, June 19, 2020, when our hitherto number one political enemy, the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, drove into the party Secretariat in Benin City to collect his membership card of the party.
“I was there live and direct. I just can’t understand how the political events unfolded in fast succession. An opposition PDP becoming the ruling political party in the state without any election?
“It’s unbelievably too sweet to believe. No special thanks to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who through court took power from the PDP in 2008. It’s also interesting to know that the same Oshiomhole is the one who unknowingly chased and pushed Obaseki into the PDP”.
“So, Comrade Oshiomhole took power from us unceremoniously in 2008 and returned it to us freely with fanfare and benefits. Now we can boldly say undisputedly that the PDP is firmly in charge of Edo State”.
“I shed tears of joy on Sunday, June 21, 2020, when Governor Obaseki opened the gates wide open for PDP members to enter the Government House which had been a forbidden place to us since 2008.”
The above comments were made by one of the diehard PDP members in the state, Mr. Sunday Akhabue Ehigbor.
But for how long the PDP members will hold on to the political power they got on a platter of gold, only September 19, 2020, shall tell.
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