Barely 24 hours after the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu faulted the endorsement of Asue Ighodalo by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo North, the Edo North PDP Leaders Forum has also towed the line of Shaibu describing it as disgusting.
But the spokesperson of the Edo North PDP Elders and Leaders Forum, the body that did the endorsement, Solomon Taiwo, faulted the position, saying their endorsement of Ighodalo does not stop any other aspirant from being received by any other group.
The Edo North PDP Leaders Forum, which was comprised of the senatorial leader, secretary, chairmen, and leaders of the PDP in the six local government areas, said in a statement, “The entire process and pronouncement is in absolute variance with the principles of democracy and a free, fair, and level playing field for all bona fide PDP members who meet the criteria to run for office.
“In the 25 years of our democracy, the party has moved away from such draconian and illegal means of foisting aspirants on the people.
“It was therefore a disgrace to watch the pathetic drama that was played out in Fugar by a bunch of inconsequential political efulefus who amused their audience with the said adoption at the meeting.
“Needless to say, the conveners of that gathering had no locus standi to parade themselves as custodians, judges, and juries over the party candidate come February 2024.”
The statement said that all party aspirants for the office of governor from any part of the state will be given a level playing field to actualise their ambitions in accordance with the party’s guidelines and constitution.
Defending the endorsement of Ighodalo, Taiwo said “How can they describe the gathering of the former chief of staff to the president and former deputy governor, former senator, former member of the house representatives, and other bigwigs of the party who attended that meeting as inconsequential?
“The meeting does not foreclose other aspirants from coming around; if we receive Asue Ighodalo and he speaks in an impressive manner, upon which we threw our endorsement because we believe that we cannot see any other person that can match him, that is our opinion. Condemning it with such words is uncalled for.”