Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State are calling on the State Chairman, Mr. Tony Aziegbemi to resign from office. They have accused him of failing to preserve the unity, trust and stability of the party.
The demand is contained in a widely circulated notice by concerned party leaders and members drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state.
The statement reads: “Hon. Anthony Aziegbemi, who was elected Edo State PDP Chairman by delegates from Edo North, South and Central, has now taken side with Edo Central. Dividing our Party along tribal lines, a situation which has never happened before.
“Recall that Sen. Iyorcha Ayu took sides openly before the last Presidential Primaries, and even after the primaries, he went on to declare one of the aspirants as ‘The Hero of the Convention’, that without doubt majorly contributed to the colossal failure of PDP in the 2023 Presidential election.
“Hon. Anthony Aziegbemi must now step aside as he has openly shown that he is an interested party and can never be fair in the primary process.”
The statement added that: “Prince Aguele was a pioneer PDP State Chairman from Edo Central. He never at any time came out openly to take sides with a particular Aspirant nor his Senatorial District, neither did Chief Dan Orbih during his time as the State Party Chairman took sides with Edo North, where he hails from.
“Anthony Aziegbemi has brought tribal politics. He has taken sides with a particular aspirant and must now step aside to allow free, fair, and transparent Primaries.”
The concerned PDP stakeholders expressed fear of Aziegbemi, like Ayu and the danger his “attitude poses on our Party”, especially as he has major role to play in the upcoming governorship primary.
In the vexed video, the embattled party chairman was heard addressing a small group of Edo Central members on the need to ensure that the Godwin Obaseki’s successor emerges from the Central where he is from.
“I want to plead with all of us, it is now time to keep our eyes on the ball. From now henceforth, to cue behind the governor so we can make that right choice and PDP should emerge in Osadebey Avenue and make sure that, that person, that man or woman is one of our own, is from Esan extraction”, Aziegbemi said.