More Trouble Looms In Edo PDP As 3 Candidates Picks Sheriff Form For Another Guber Primary

The national crisis bedeviling the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has crippled itself into Edo State as three candidates have purchased Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party form for another gubernatorial primary election.

Last week, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu emerged as the winner of Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP governorship primary election in Edo State

Two governorship aspirants who lost out in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship primary, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Solomon Edebiri, have taken another shot at the party’s ticket by purchasing the governorship nomination form from the Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the party, Ripples Nigeria reports

it was also gathered that the member representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, E.J. Agbonayima has also picked the form.

Edebiri, after the primary election in which Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, emerged as PDP governorship flagbearer, discredited the process of the election, saying that the elders of the party were biased.

He said he is consulting with his members and will take a decision on his next action in the coming weeks.

And just days after the election, factional national chairman of the party, Sheriff at a media briefing claimed that three aspirants have picked his faction’s governorship form, adding that he has fixed a date to conduct the primary election.

Sheriff stated this on Thursday at his residence in Abuja, giving details of his faction’s election thus – governorship primaries slated for Wednesday, June 29, while screening appeal is billed for Friday, July 1.

He has been strongly accused by many of the party members of being planted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and assiduously working with them to unsettle PDP, especially in the coming Edo and Ondo states elections.

Ahmed Makarfi , chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee on Thursday, described Sheriff as being “desperate to destroy” the party.

A statement by spokesman of the Makarfi faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, also claimed that the party leadership has uncovered further plans by Senator Sheriff and his supporters to deceive gullible members of the party, security agencies and the general public to support his ambition to remain as chairman of the party by claiming he has a court order.

“It is now very clear that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is working very hard for the enemies of our great party. First, the Edo Primary Election and all the processes leading to it thereof were properly conducted, monitored and observed by INEC.

Edo PDP chairman has warned Sheriff to stay clear of their affairs as the party in the state is resolutely united behind Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu,” he said

BREAKING: Pastor Ize-Iyamu Wins PDP Edo Guber Primary, See Full Results

Pastor Osagie  Ize-Iyamu has emerged winner of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primary held in the state today.

The National Committee of the party for the conduct of the primaries, led by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State declared Ize-Iyamu winner.  

The election was contested by only aspirants from Edo South, namely Chief Solomon Edebiri, Mr Mathew Uduoeyekemwen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Of a total 713 votes cast, Ize-Iyamu emerged winner with 584 votes followed by Uduoeyekemwen who polled 91 votes while Edebiri garnered 38 votes. There was no void.

The election was witnessed by among others, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate of Lagos State in the last general election, who counted the votes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the venue of the election.

Umahi commended the aspirants, delegates and Edo State PDP members for the peaceful conduct of the election declaring it credible, free and fair.

Ize-Iyamu, was the Secretary to the State Government under the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion’s, while Uduoeyekemwen was Majority Leader in the House of Assembly at the time.

He will now face Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  in the September 10 governorship election in the state.

However, there are concerns that the Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction in the state may also come up with their own candidate, a situation many analysts believe will not do PDP much good in the election.