2011: Feuding Edo PDP Plans Harmonization

BENIN CITY, July 20, (THEWILL) - The feuding Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it has concluded plans to harmonize warring factions of the party, just as it expressed readiness to reclaim the state which it lost to the Action Congress nearly 2 years ago.

The feud which begun following the inability of the state leaders of the party to agree on a consensus candidate for the party’s chair for over 3 years has seen the party’s stature diminish in the state.

This equally resulted to fractionalization of the party, with some loyalists loyal to former military administrator of the then Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and others; loyal to former Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

Former Chief of Staff to the ousted Governor of the state, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, Mr. Isaiah Osifo dropped the hint while answering　 questions from our correspondent at the party’s secretariat in Benin City.

He said the National Working Committee of the party had met with the feuding members on matter of concession in order to bring lasting peace to the party because one faction cannot do it alone. 　"We have since passed the message across. I am hopeful that the exercise is almost completed".

He said contrary to speculations that factional leader; Dr Ogbemudia had shunned the party’s meetings, Osifo said the allegation is unfounded adding that Dr. Ogbemudia is currently in Englandon vacation. "He has been and still remains a national leader of the Party and a member of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT)," Osifo said.