In preparation for the gubernatorial election in Edo State on September 21, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has formed a 363-member campaign council.
However, Governor Goodwin Obaseki criticized the Legacy Group, led by Dan Orbih, the party’s vice chairman for the South-South region, calling them disorganized.
The Legacy Group had previously stated that they would not support Obaseki or the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, until their concerns were addressed. They felt that despite helping Obaseki switch to the PDP in 2020 and ensuring his reelection, they were being treated unfairly.
Members of the Legacy Group include the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and Kabiru Adjoto, who was once a strong ally of Obaseki. Despite the internal division, Obaseki maintains that the PDP has the best candidates and programs for the people of Edo.
The governor alleges that factional PDP members fighting within the party have received money from opposition parties to destabilize the PDP in the state, and he warns these individuals to stay away or face consequences.
He said,
“The timetable is out, can you see any of them (Legacy Group)? Can they organise themselves? PDP leads, others follow.”
“PDP is one. Those who are fighting the PDP have collected money from the other parties, and they want to sell out. Join me so that we can flush them out of our party. Because we are not going to allow anybody to divide us, we are one party; one indivisible party in Edo State.
“The money they have collected is enough, let them go and enjoy it. Let them go and spend it outside. We don’t have anything to be afraid of. I will fight them if they try us; we will fight them if they try us. They know us, we never fight and lose, let them come and try. They should not disturb us, because this election is ours and we are going to win by the grace of God.”
