National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, has thrown his weight behind the protesting governorship aspirants over the conduct of the delegate election.

Orbih flayed Governor Peter Mbah for playing a role in what he described as ‘Nollywood movie’ but presented as an ad-hoc delegate election in Edo State.

Speaking to nine of the 10 aspirants who visited him in his Benin City residence to protest the conduct of the delegate election, Orbih told them that they will not walk alone as their protests will not go in vain.

Orbih, a former chairman of the party in the state who served as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s campaign manager in the 2020 governorship election, vowed that the cry that a stranger will not fly the ticket of the party will not end up in vain.

The protest of the nine aspirants follows reports of the adulteration of the election officers for the ward ad-hoc election, a development that led to the withdrawal of Governor Seyi Makinde from his role as chairman of the PDP Committee to supervise the ad-hoc election.

Nine of the 10 aspirants with the notable exception of Asue Ighodalo had earlier petitioned Makinde and the National Working Committee (NWC) alleging that the list of election officers had been muddled with Edo and Delta state government officials.

Addressing the aspirants and other party officials in his Benin City residence, Orbih while commending the courage of the aspirants in standing against the might of Governor Obaseki said: “I salute your courage, I salute your commitment. We appreciate you all. Your struggle and effort is not personal but for our collective interest and dream of a better Edo State.

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“What took place yesterday, was Obaseki’s ad-hoc delegate election and not PDP. I have listened to the position of the aspirants who disassociated themselves from yesterday’s show of shame purportedly supervised by the Governor of Enugu who flew into Benin and after meeting Governor Obaseki in Government House went with him to George Idah collation centre to record a television scene to justify the illegalities carried out across the state.

“Let me join all of you to condemn and reject the shameless show of yesterday. I am happy the aspirants are taking steps to set aside the sad Nollywood event of yesterday.

“Be assured that like Liverpool fans, you will never walk alone. I appeal to all party faithful to remain calm. I will once again declare that Edo PDP will not support a stranger for the 2024 guber election.

“They are writing all sorts in the social media, but like they say a ripe fruit attracts stones and arrows. We shall overcome.”

The Star