Edo 2024: PDP Directs Governorship Aspirants to Declare Interest, Tells Obaseki He Has No Constitutional Authority to Swear-in Successor

By Reporter

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has called all intending governorship aspirants on thee platform of the party, to declare their interest in line with the timetable of activities released by the independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Vasco Ogie, the party also disagreed with Governor Godwin Obaseki on his avowed promise to swear-in his successor.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party wishes to inform the general public and teeming supporters that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable for the conduct of the Governorship election in Edo State in 2024.  We call on all our intending aspirants to take note of the timelines of activities.”

While questioning Obaseki’s constitutional authority to “swear-in” his successor, Edo State PDP replied that: “On Friday 29th September 2023, the Governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki addressed journalists and expressed his desire to “finish strong” and swear in a successor on November 11th 2024.

“We politely disagree here and make bold to state that it is the Chief Judge that has the constitutional duty to swear in who will succeed him. 

“The Governor further stated that: ‘It is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.’ 

“On this we agree completely with the Governor. Our only reservation on this is that he has not exhibited fairness, equity and justice in conducting the affairs of government since his assumption of office.

“We hereby assure Edo people that the ideals of “fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion” mentioned above are the hallmarks of PDP which will not be lost in our quest to nominate a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, from amongst our committed and dedicated Party loyalists who have stood by the Party all these years.

“Our nominee will be a candidate acceptable to all Edo people. The guidelines of the Party will be strictly adhered to in nominating the candidate.

“While we await the publication of the guidelines for activities from the National Working Committee, we assure all our party faithful that we shall conduct a free and fair process to pick a candidate in February 2024.”