One thousand Five hundred accredited delegates and supporters, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State Chapter, yesterday Converged in Benin City, to attend it Congress.
They had gathered to conduct it State Congress, that brought to an end one tenure and usher in another tenure, heralding the emergence of a new leadership of the party, ahead of the state gubernatorial election.
The State Congress which lasted for two days had Tony Aziegbemi, Polled 817 out of the votes cast, to knockout his closest contender, Barrister Felix Omoisili who polled 488 votes to emerge the winner.
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Others who emerged victorious were the State Secretary of the party, Hillary Otsu who scored 739 to defeat Omololu Ojehomon with 275 votes.
However, for the state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare returned to the stead of power, having served for a Tenure in the outgone Executive, to poll, 631 votes against Avanrenren Osarenren who lost to him with 126 votes respectively.
Two local government areas, Ovia North East and Etsako West, however, were not allowed to take part in the state congress that produced Aziegbemi due to disagreement between the warring factions.
Despite Seventeen contenders earlier indicated interest on various positions, six returned unopposed as eleven squared up for the positions with some winning and others losing.
Those who got the nod of their delegates are now expected to pilots the party and probably wrest power from the incumbent Ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, to Victory.
The keenly contested, but peaceful Congress, brought to an end, the over eight years tenure of the outgone Chairman of the State Party, Chief Osi Orbih.
Chief Dan Osi Orbih who was commended for sustaining the party, had led the party for over 8-year tenure. While welcoming members who attended the Congress, Orbih hailed the wonderful support, he received during his time as chairman of the party.
The emotionally Controlled Orbih, sued for continued unity amongst members of the party while announcing his dissolution to his tenure.
A motion to dissolve his executive was moved by Akhere Ugbesia and Seconded by Barrister Nosa Adams to signal the end of Orbih’s Leadership of the Party in Edo State
Speaking with newsmen shortly, after the Congress, the Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Affairs to Oyo State Governor, Babatunde Oduyoye, who represented the Governor, said, with the turn out of members at the delegates’ election, there were hopes that PDP, would be able to compete and win the forthcoming governorship election in the state if they can stick together.
He stated that PDP, as a party is still very strong in Edo state like other South-South states, noting that the Congress was generally peaceful. “With the new executive, PDP should be able to win the forthcoming governorship election considering the situation on the ground. You have to take advantage of what is on the ground,” he said.
Also Speaking at the Congress, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbiede Ihama described Congress as a positive development for the party in the state.
Ihama, however, enjoined other contestants to join hands with the new state executives to work together to rescue the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election.
Other winners at the Congress are Harrison Omagbon, Deputy Chairman and Fidelis Igenegbale, Financial Secretary, among others.
Other members of the new state executives include Segun Saiki, Vice Chairman, Edo North; Anthony Okosun, Vice Chairman, Edo Central; and, Nosa Ogievia, Vice Chairman, Edo South.
Naija Center News reports that the position of the state Legal Adviser was won by Mr Esene Idemudia, with 175 votes against Mr Jimi Osagiede who scored three votes. Also, the state women’s leadership position was retained by Mrs Lindsay Tes-Sorae unopposed.
However, our Correspondent gathered that the positions of the state organising secretary, state treasurer, assistant organising secretary, assistant legal adviser, youth leader and auditor were returned unopposed.
The outcome of the successful Peoples Democratic Partys’ state Congress, may have a critical role to play in the forthcoming Governorship Elections in the State considering the level of Heightened Tensions in the ruling All Progressive Congress Party.
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