By Ken Afor
Honourable Francis Okiye, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP party with immediate effect.
In a letter addressed to the ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Arue-Uromi Ward 3, Edo State on Friday, Okiye cited the alienation of the majority of his constituents and supporters by the State Government under Governor Godwin Obaseki as a primary reason for his decision.
Okiye, a former Majority Leader in the House of Assembly who represented Esan North-East, expressed disappointment over what he perceived as the exclusion of his constituents and supporters from the activities and programs of both the party and the state government.
Furthermore, he highlighted remarks made by the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, indicating a continuation of Governor Obaseki’s principles if elected in the upcoming September election, as a factor contributing to his departure.
While acknowledging the opportunity to serve accorded him by the party, Okiye emphasized that his decision to withdraw is also influenced by personal reasons.
He said: “I write to officially inform you of my withdrawal of membership of the People Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect
“This decision is stemmed from the alienation of the majority of my constituent and supporters by the State Government under Godwin Obaseki from the activities and program of the party and the Government of the State. As if that is not enough the party candidate has declared that he would continue in the Governors Principle should he win the September election, other reasons are those personal to me.
“On behalf of my family and supporters, thank you and others for the opportunity given me to serve while in the Party.”
It would be recalled that in October 2020, Rt Hon Okiye was removed as Speaker over allegations of “high-handedness”.
