By Osaigbovomwan Iguobaro
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assumed a new dimension as former Executive members of the party in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, passed no confidence vote on its erstwhile leader of the party, Chief Odion Olaye.
At an enlarge meeting in the council area on Wednesday, the party executives who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP in the locality along with Governor Godwin Obaseki last year, accused him of anti-party activities and attempting to destabilize the party in the party.
In Olaye’s stead, the party executives unanimously endorsed Mr. Chris Imalele as the new Chairman of the party in Egor Local Government Council and pledged their unalloyed support for Ex-Commissioner of Information and Orientation in the State, Mr. Efe Stewart who is also from the locality.
The PDP leadership in Egor Local Government Council also pledged their unalloyed support for Ex- Commissioner of Information and Orientation in the State, Mr. Efe Stewart.
A former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Edo State Governor on Egor matters and Spokesperson for PDP Executives in Egor Local Government Council, comprising the 10 Wards in the locality, Mr. Edo Aguebor, alleged that the party at the grassroot is committed to strengthening its support base informed their decision to pass a vote of no confidence on its former party leader in Egor LGA, Chief Olaye who is a former Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo State.
“We are former members of the All Progressives Congress who defected along with governor Godwin Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“For sometime, we have observed that Chief Odion Olaye, the erstwhile leader of APC, who equally defected with the governor to the PDP, had made every effort to maintaining peace impossible; Every effort by the PDP, including entreaties to make peace has been refused by him, instead he has decided to parade factional meetings, receive aspirants in his house and intimidate members. We just can’t allow this to go on.
“Egor LGA is lagging in infrastructure, appointment, and this is because we don’t come together. When a local government is united, there will be progress.
“This is the reason why we invited all former political appointees and former leaders to come to a conclusion that Odion Olaye cannot continue to lead us, let us appoint a new leader.
“This time around we need a man who has peaceful disposition, temperaments and patience to listen to the people. This is a time for healing and not the time for fighting; so, that is why we have unanimously appointed Chris Imalele to lead us in this peace efforts. This is our time to move Egor forward, because our local Government is in trouble.”Aguebor, said.
Aguebor, also cautioned against factionalization of the party by defiant members secretly working against the PDP in the locality.
He called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to call Olaye to order, adding that that efforts to broker peace with Olaye to retrace his steps, proved abortive.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Odion Olaye, declined comment on the incident, adding that the State leadership of PDP had invited him for a meeting in connection with the incident.
