Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki constituted a peace committee on Sunday in Benin to resolve the crisis rocking the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The committee has former Gov. Lucky Igbinedion as its chairman.
Obaseki said at the inauguration that the move was to stave the possible defeat of the PDP in the state at the 2023 general election.
In attendance were 135 PDP members drawn from the National Executive Committee, the State Executive Committee, and the Zonal Committee.
The governor said the meeting was convened to resolve all internal wrangling in the party to ensure success at the 2023 general elections.
Obaseki said the meeting became necessary following the defeat of the PDP by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at Saturday’s Ekiti governorship election.
He said to avoid a repeat of the Ekiti defeat at the presidential election in 2023, the PDP in Edo needed to be united and settle differences among members and bring everyone together to ensure victory.
“I am proposing that we all commit ourselves to resolve all issues in all the chapters across the state.
“I have consulted and for the time being decided that Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a former governor of the state will chair the peace committee in the state.
He will select three notable leaders of the party in the three Senatorial Districts of the state to work with him in the next 30 days to 60 days to try to resolve all the issues in the party,’’ he said.
The governor noted that the PDP was setting the pace as it had picked the vice-presidential running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Obaseki said the meeting was called to make peace in the party, adding: “We have gathered here today to seek peace in the PDP as this is the only way to win the presidential election come 2023.
“The internal wrangling is the only thing that can stop us as it has stopped PDP in Ekiti State.
“If we sue for peace in the party, we will certainly find one. We should try to resolve the internal wrangling within the party as no court case can bring peace unless we sit together to resolve our quarrels.
“Our aim is to be in power and to be the ruling party. Our collective interest should be our major focus, not our selfish interest which is at the root of the crisis of the party.’’
Obaseki urged leaders of the party to make ward meetings important and compulsory from June, going forward.
He called on the party leaders to activate the youth wing to bring youths into the party in preparation for the 2023 general elections.
3rd Anniversary: We have matched our words with achievements – Sanwo-Olu
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says his administration has matched words with achievements, as far as governance is concerned in the past three years.
Sanwo-Olu said this on Sunday, during the 3rd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of his administration, held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.
The theme of the Thanksgiving is ”O God, Our Help In Ages Past”.
Represented by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the governor said he was grateful for the mercies, protection, wisdom, and understanding of God almighty, that assisted in the steering of the administration in the last three years.
He said that the most important thing was that in spite of all the challenges, the present administration was able to match words with achievements, especially in the implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda and other better things promised residents three years ago.
”Despite all the challenges faced in the recent past by this administration, we were able to record unprecedented achievements as far as the implementation of our THEMES agenda.
”This administration has been able to achieve other lofty programs we promised Lagosians three years ago. We were able to match our words with achievements,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the achievements recorded were a result of the cooperation and support by all residents, as well as the intercessory prayers by men and women of different faiths.
Sanwo-Olu urged residents to continue to rally around the government, especially as the 2023 general elections approach.
”Let me at this juncture express our appreciation to all Lagosians for your support, cooperation, and prayers in the past three years, which also contributed to our achievements.
”We want more of your support as we approach 2023 general elections, which by the special grace of God, myself and Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, would be participating as governorship and deputy governorship candidates of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for another term of four years in office.
”By the grace of God, I assure all Lagosians that better times lie ahead,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Badagry, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Sunday Onadipe, said the achievements recorded by Sanwo-Olu confirmed that he has a very great notion and initiatives to make Lagos greater.
According to him, Gov. Sanwo-Olu is the epitome of good leadership.
Onadipe said that the achievements were possible because the governor too acknowledged God as the prime mover of his administration.
While citing the book of Psalms 124 verse 1 to back his words, the bishop prayed that the Lord would be with the governor, till the end of his administration and beyond.
The clergy, however, urged the governor to continue to pray and extend his tentacle on good governance, and ensure the security of lives and property.
He appealed to Sanwo-Olu should do something about youth unrest and save the future of the children, as well as the speedy completion of the Lagos-Badagry road.
Present at the service were the mother of the Governor, Mrs. Ibironke Bankole, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde.
Also present were the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, Dr. Stephen Adegbite, members of the state executive council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, politicians, civil servants, market men and women, Christians in the state, among others.