The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Secretary, Hilary Otsu, mentioned that the lack of genuine reconciliation in the party could be why Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama is thinking about joining the All Progressives Congress.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who has served two terms as a House of Representatives member for the PDP, was reportedly in line to become the running mate for the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday.
Subsequently, it was learned that influential figures from the APC and PDP, including members of the Legacy Group in Edo State, who are loyal to the PDP Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, and other leaders like the Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike, met at the Abuja home of the APC leader in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, to finalize the plan.
However, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae, refuted the notion of such a move on Tuesday.
He stated, “There is no truth in that. Ogbeide-Ihama is in the PDP, how can a PDP member be the running mate to our governorship candidate? We don’t even need to react to that because he is not a member of our party. As of today, Ogbeide-Ihama is in PDP until a person is a member of APC, he cannot be talking about being a running mate, we are not looking beyond our party to get a running mate for our candidate.”
Furthermore, Otsu emphasized that politics is driven by personal and collective interests, asserting that no one can prevent Ogbeide-Ihama from making his decision.
He remarked, “Politics revolves around who acquires what, when, why, and how, based on personal or collective interests. If Ogbeide-Ihama believes that it is politically advantageous to become a running mate to Okpebholo, it is his right, and the party cannot hinder him. It is an individual choice, and if any party member or group chooses to support him, it is their decision as well.”
“However, the reason this is emerging, if it is indeed true, is due to the apparent absence of stability that Governor Godwin Obaseki has introduced in the PDP. After enduring all the turmoil during congresses and primaries, efforts were made to find a way to unify the party. Even the candidate, Asue Ighodalo, took steps in that direction.”
“If there is no proactive action being taken to reunite the party with the Legacy Group and others, then no member of the party can be blamed for the decision made, and a divided PDP cannot win the governorship election in the state.”
“Losing an individual, let alone a two-time House of Representatives member, is detrimental to any party. It is harmful to the party, but it is happening because there appears to be no end in sight for genuine reconciliation.”
“By Thursday, the tenure of the PDP exco in the state comes to an end, and the National Working Committee of the party has not communicated anything regarding the way forward,” he added.
When reached for comment, Ogbeide-Ihama pledged to return the reporter's call, which he did not do at the time of filing the report. He also did not respond to several calls to his phone afterward.
