Edo PDP Crisis: Aziegbemi Cannot Revoke Iduozee’s Suspension.
It has become imperative for the dictatorial tendencies of the PDP State Chairman, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, to be discussed at the National level of the party as his approach is capable of further fueling the crisis in Edo State PDP. Recall that last year, after he wrote to the Prince Secundus led NWC concerning the plans of Governor Godwin Obaseki to dissolve the Party’s Executives at all levels, he was blackmailed by the governor’s agents accusing him of embezzlement of funds. He was summarily suspended by the State Executive but brought back after stakeholders intervention. However, since his humbled return, he has been willingly hobnobbing with the governor to the detriment of the party’s growth.
It was to the chagrin of party members when last year, it was televised and shared on social media receiving a list of harmonized excos from parts of Esan Central even when he knows full well that such act was anti-party activity as no such idea is in the Party’s Constitution.
Read More: Edo PDP Crisis: Group Calls For the Removal of Iyoha, Iyamu from Obaseki’s Cabinet.
And today, the PDP in Orhionmwon LGA registered their utmost displeasure over a press release which is dated 3rd February 2022 where Dr Anthony Aziegbemi claimed to have nullified the suspension of one Mr Stanley Iduozee as the Chairman of PDP in the LGA for embezzlement and anti-party activities. Without mincing words, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi does not possess the legal rights in the PDP constitution and there not empowered to upturn the decision of the Party’s Executives at the LGA level. This is clearly stated in Chapter 10 Section 57 (1-3) of the Party’s constitution as amended. His only role over the LGAs in this regard to advisory and could only appeal to the party at the LGA level to reconsider the suspension decision of the said Chairman. The only body charged with the powers to approve and disapprove such suspensions is the State Working Committee and the National Working Committee, not a single individual.
Dr Anthony Aziegbemi cannot, therefore, arrogate to himself as an individual the duties of the aforementioned bodies. His action is not only dictatorial, it smells despotic in its ambiguity.
One would have thought that Dr Aziegbemi, who ought to be the custodian of the Party’s Constitution, should focus on those elements within the party that are bent on bringing unconstitutional missions into the party.
He should be more focused on Oredo and co where these elements have constituted themselves as violent members, breaking party secretariats, holding illegal harmonization meetings and attempting to take over duties of duly elected party officials.
He should have made a categorical statement condemning the illegal meeting where the Chief of Staff and the Commissioner for Justice were both in attendance. He should be more focused on making sure the constitution of the party is adhered to.
