The scheduled ward congresses to pick the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have run into critical headwinds following the decision by Governor Seyi Makinde to reject his appointment as the chairman of the Ward Congress Committee.
A report by GWG cited a letter by Makinde to the National Working Committee, NWC, wherein he predicated his decision on late information about his appointment.
He also reportedly expressed concerns over the adulteration of the list of electoral officers that has been obviously populated by government officials from Edo and Delta States.
He particularly cited the appointment of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly as the Electoral Officer for his local government.
The other headwind, amid concerns over Makinde’s rejection of the party asdignment, was the protest by nine of the ten governorship aspirants against the adulteration of the list of ele tiral officers.
In a strongly-worded letter to the NWC, the aspirants expressed outrage and opposition to the lists of electoral officials with government officials.
The petition by the aspirants was signed by Philip Shaibu, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anslem Ojezua and Felix Akhabue.
Others who signed the petition were Martin Uhomibhi, Hajia Hadizat Umoru, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, Dr Osaro Oaiwu and Arthure Esene.
Mr Asue Ighodalo did not, understabdably, sign the petition.
In rejecting his appointment, Governor Makinde said that he was only informed on Friday, February 2, 2024 of his appointment for the conduct of the ward congresses that were scheduled to commence between February 3 and 4 of 2024.
He said that he had already scheduled activities for those days and the late information of his appointment prevented him from rescheduling his activities.
“Our great party is known for conducting very transparent primaries incudig presidential primaries. This, in my opinion, should be the benchmark for the NWC’s conduct of elections ad associated activities across the board,” Makinde said in rejecting the appointment to chair the Edo ward congresses committee.
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