- We ‘ll Soon Take Over Edo-PDP
- Stop Dreaming, Your Case Lacks Merit-APC
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State are currently engaged in a massive war of words following the resumption of the election petition tribunal in the State.
The tribunal which was earlier billed to resume sitting today(Monday) has become the centre of attention with the PDP firing the first salvo. This prompted the APC to reply accordingly.
The PDP stressed that the result of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, which saw Senator Monday Okpebholo declared the winner, should be overturned in favour of its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
This statement was made in a communiqué released on Sunday, following a meeting of the party’s leadership, attended by Ighodalo.
The communiqué, signed by the Secretary of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee, Henry Tenebe, noted that far-reaching decisions were made during the meeting, which was convened by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi. Tenebe explained that after extensive deliberations on the state of affairs in the party and Edo State, resolutions were reached.
The statement reads:“The party reaffirmed its resolve to reclaim the mandate duly given to it by the people of Edo State in the last governorship election. It called for the continuous support and prayers of all party faithful and the people of Edo State as PDP and its candidate progress on this arduous journey.”
The party, through the communiqué, also expressed concern over the state of Edo under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration:
“The attendees expressed grave concern over the current state of Edo under the APC-led administration. The party observed with dismay that the state has suffered significant setbacks in recent months.”
But reacting to the PDP’s claims, the Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, dismissed the opposition party’s claims at the tribunal as baseless, while also countering claims that Governor Monday Okpehbolo had not performed well.
“I will start by saying that the issue relating to that election is before a court of competent jurisdiction and that makes it sub judice. So, we need not comment too much on what the outcome will be because that will be prejudging the issue,” Uwadiae-Igbinigie stated.
“We are going to be there, the PDP, the Labour Party, and other political parties that have brought their matter before the tribunal are waiting patiently for them to kickstart their issues.”
However, he emphasised that the PDP’s petition lacked merit. “However, we know that their case is baseless, unfounded, hollow, empty, and lacks the required material that will make the petition to fly in the court of competent jurisdiction.”
Uwadiae-Igbinigie further praised the performance of Governor Okpehbolo, stressing that the people of Edo state had already noticed significant improvements.
“The much I know is that for the few weeks we have been in government, the Edo people have seen the difference between darkness and light. Governor Monday Okpehbolo represents the light. Edo people have been in darkness for eight years, and today there is ecstasy in the land, people are happy that a government that is responsive and responsible is in place.”
He reiterated that the wishes of the Edo people, expressed through the ballot, could not be overridden.
“I will also say that the wishes of Edo people, which they expressed through the ballot, cannot be subverted by the wishes of the PDP. We are a government that means well for Edo, and the steps the governor has taken represent that. We have our hand on the plaque, and the talks of PDP do not matter any longer in Edo.”
According to Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the people would not be swayed by the PDP’s accusations.
“The people will not listen to them because they are known for their deceptive disposition. The issue that matters most to Edo people is what we are tackling now. Whether they believe in what we are doing, they are entitled to their opinion. The people know that Okpehbolo is doing perfectly well in Edo, and we will not listen to the distractive talks of the PDP.”
