— AS NEW AND OLD PDP MEMBERS DISAGREE OVER SHARING FORMULA
By Sir Ralph Okhiria
On Thursday, 12th of November 2020, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu will expectedly at the magnificently remodeled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, be inaugurated to commence the second leg of the mandate given to them by the people of the state.
Recall that the duo’s mandate was renewed by majority of the Edo people, during the governorship election held in the state on September 19, 2020.
But as preparations are in top gear for the inauguration ceremony, a major battle is raging inside the state branch of the ruling-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the sharing of the spoils of the political war.
The raging war is between the old and new members of the PDP. The RELIANCE investigation revealed that the two groups which came together few months ago, are yet to properly fuse together.
Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki, hastily moved into the PDP after he was disqualified unceremoniously to contest the Governorship primary election of his then political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, 2020.
But after stout opposition and grueling negotiations, Governor Obaseki was strategically freed to stand for the PDP guber primary election unopposed. Thereafter, he (Obaseki) was miraculously granted the permission to continue with Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu as his running mate.
It was however, clearly obvious that Governor Obaseki wanted a second term desperately in order to get back at his political enemies particularly his former godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his political arch-rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, business Mogul, Capt. Hosa Wells Okunbo and the Asiwaju of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu.
These men and their foot soldiers had vowed to use everything in their powers to prematurely retire Mr. Obaseki from politics. But the people as well as Comrade Philip Shaibu and Osarodion Ogie Esq, were solidly behind Governor Obaseki like giant Iroko trees.
Similarly a political Juggernaut, popularly known as the chairman of chairmen in Edo State, Owere Dickson Imasogie rose to the defence of Governor Obaseki by mobilising massively with his personal resources to ensure the political success of the governor.
On the other hand, the leaders of the state branch of the PDP were seriously hungry for the power they lost through tribunal verdict in November, 2008. They found in Obaseki a man with the capability to deliver for the party hence the members quickly queued behind him for the electoral battle. The PDP had been out of power for nearly 12 years.
Interestingly, the tension soaked gubernatorial election was conducted on September 19, 2020 and on the following day, the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Governor Obaseki as the winner of the election which was adjudged to be the most free, fair, credible and transparent election in the history of the state.
But now that the election is over and the PDP is the ruling party in the state, it is therefore time for members of the party to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Presently, the problem that has reared its ugly head is how to share the spoils of war between the old PDP members and those that followed Governor Obaseki to join the party.
The RELIANCE gathered that between June and September 2020, when the election was held, was such a short period for proper integration of the old and new members of the party because their main focus then was on winning the election.
“We have fought a good fight and by the power of God and the good people of the state, our party (PDP) won the election with wide margin. It is now time to enjoy the fruits of our labour and nobody wants to be left out.
“The problem that we are having now is that of ‘who gets what’? Don’t forget that when Mr. Obaseki decamped to our party, he came with plenty of his friends, supporters and well-wishers into the PDP.
“You could remember that when he (Obaseki) came to our party, there was serious tension in the party as to who will become the standard bearer. So, we the leaders of the party responded to the challenge and resolved the problem amicably.
“At that time, what preoccupied our minds was to do everything possible to retain Government House which Adams Oshiomhole pushed Governor Obaseki to deliver to us on a platter of gold.
“But now, all that is past and by next week the governor will be inaugurated for his second term in office and expectedly, most of the political appointees who are mainly politicians who followed Obaseki to the PDP, will have to give way for new appointees.
“The contention now is the sharing formula. The Obaseki boys want to steal the show by insisting that they will take the lion share. To the old PDP members, such arrangement is unfair and we are not happy at all.
“Imagine, they are the governor, deputy governor, secretary to state government and the chief of staff. These are not negotiable.
“However, the position of the chief of staff may give way. But that of the SSG as currently being occupied by Osarodion Ogie is as constant as the northern star, because Mr. Ogie as an indispensable asset, any day, any time. He is a very silent hard working politician. He is a goal getter without rival. So, it will be unfair and unpardonable to push him out.
“Nevertheless, we are still making consultations among ourselves so that we can reach a compromise without fighting over the gift God has blessed us with. I’m very sure that before inauguration, we would have reached amicable settlement” the PDP member who would pleaded anonymity, posited.
But when contacted, the state chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Tony Aziengbemi said all is well with his party, saying that the issue of political appointments was yet to be formally discussed by members of the party.
“I’m not aware of any struggle for political positions in government by some PDP members. There has not been any discussion about the composition of the executive council of government.
“How can there be any disagreement over an issue that has never been discussed officially. The truth is that everything is okay with the PDP and we are all very happy”, the state PDP chairman stated.
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