JUST IN: Tension At Edo PDP Primary As Top Contender Pulls Out, Gives Reason

One of the aspirants in the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo State, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, has withdrawn from the race.

Ogbeide-Ihama made this announcement in a letter he earlier addressed to the party’s National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, and copied to the National Working Committee of the PDP.

In the letter, which was shared with journalists on Thursday, Ogbeide-Ihama expressed his disappointment with the integrity and credibility of the primary process, citing irregularities and biases favoring certain candidates.

Ogbeide-Ihama stated, “Unfortunately, the process was corrupted by several irregularities that marked the ward congress organized by our party in the state… It was glaring that the process had been skewed to favor a particular aspirant unjustly.”

He further expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the National Working Committee to their grievances, noting, “Unfortunately, the National Working Committee’s continued intention to deny aspirants a level playing field sadly ignored the recommendations from both panels.”

In light of these concerns and after consultations with family, stakeholders, and supporters, Ogbeide-Ihama announced his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race, citing a loss of confidence in the integrity and credibility of the process.

He concluded, “I have taken the hard, honorable, and logical decision to withdraw from the process of selecting a candidate for our party for the 2024 Edo governorship elections.”

Meanwhile, security has been heightened at the venue of the PDP governorship primary election, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin. Motorists were restricted from entering the stadium road as officials scrutinized vehicles, and policemen were stationed at various points to ensure only authorized individuals gained access to the venue.