By Kingsley Abavo
Solomon Edebiri, one of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s aggrieved opponents in Edo People’s Democratic Party’s governorship primary election held on June 20, 2016 has decided not to participate in another primary election being organized by the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party.
At the June 20, 2016 primary election, conducted by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu was declared winner having polled 584 votes out of a total delegates’ votes of 713 to defeat his opponents.
In a media briefing on Monday, Edebiri made it clear that he would not participate in the exercise slated for Wednesday June 29, 2016. This new development came against the backdrop of earlier information that he had picked nomination and expression of interest form to participate in the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party-organized governorship primary election in Edo State.
Meanwhile, the Ali Modu Sheriff led – PDP has set up a three-man committee, headed by former chairman, Ondo State PDP, Ebenezer Alabi to conduct the primary election in Edo State.
If this happens, as predicted, the party will have two candidates, but one would have to be validated either through internal or an in-house resolution or through a court of competent jurisdiction to be certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stand election on September 10, 2016.
Although Edebiri said he was dissatisfied with the conduct of the June 20 primary, alleging that it was influenced by the party’s State chairman, Dan Orbih in favor of Ize – Iyamu, he did not say whether he will continue to be a member of the PDP or not, neither did he disclose his next line of action.
He, however, appealed to his supporters to remain calm and that in due course he would inform them about his final decision.
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