Edo PDP Chair Speaks On Alleged Rift With Obaseki

Rumours of a rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have finally been addressed.

The chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi rebuffed the reports at the weekend saying that there is no quarrel with Obaseki.

The rumours of ill-feelings in the PDP follows the governor’s failure to make appointments into his government. The only appointment made so far is the Secretary to the State Government, SSG in the person of Osarodion Ogie.

Mr. Ogie came with him from the All Progressives Congress, APC. PDP members who opened their party to the governor have been alleged to be ill-ease with the governor’s failure to make appointments. The governor had at the beginning of his second term said that appointments would not be made until February.

It has also been claimed in some circles that the governor had put pressure on the PDP leadership to dissolve the state executive for the purpose of forming a new executive that would take the interest of his supporters who moved with him from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

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However, rebuffing the assertions, the chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi asked of the allegation of a quarrel with Obaseki said: “Not at all, in fact I can say this anywhere, it is a very mutually respected relationship between the party and the government.”

“There is cordiality between us because the governor is who he is, he believes we can play politics fairly, justly and so those potential rumuors that people are imagining is not there. And I think I can assure everybody that we expect it not to be there because the governor is not that kind of person.

“He will basically tell you that this is what I want to do but make sure that it is in line with the party’s Constitution and once it is in line with the party’s Constitution, I am all for it.”

“So normally I do not comment on members’ comments, I respect everyone’s opinion, do I agree or disagree, that is my personal opinion which I might not wish to air.”

“The PDP is a very big party. Even in a family of two, three, four or five as it may be, you have issues. Am I saying we might not have issues, worries and fears?”

“Of course, they will be there and my job is to manage those fears, my job is to make sure and don’t forget some of these apprehensions stems from the fact that people have fear.”

Observing why some allege a quarrel with Obaseki, he said: “That fear can be genuine, it can also be a wrong perception, so my job is to explain to everyone among the critical segment of the party to say this fear you are having is not real and this is why it is not real and once I take out time to explain to the different stakeholders and critical segment of the party I think they are good.”

“Of course there will be fears, of course there will be apprehension, of course there will be people feeling that they are being shortchanged, my job is to explain that, no, everybody will be carried along.”

“The governor is that kind of person, he will carry everybody along, it might not be everybody at the same time and that is where we need to do the explanation. It may not be for you now, don’t worry next time it will be you surely.”