Edo PDP accuses govt of forcing LG bosses to decamp

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has raised an alarm over alleged use of blackmail and intimidation by the state government to force local government council chairmen to decamp to the Action Congress (AC).

But Action Congress through its state Publicity Secretary, Retti Uzzi, described the allegation as untrue, saying people were dumping the PDP every day because of its autocratic nature.

PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Chief Nosa Adams, said in a statement: “In various instances, local government chairmen have been subjected to false and unsubstantiated allegations against them to smear their integrity and incite the public against them.

They have also been subjected to unconstitutional and illegal suspension from office.
“The PDP in Edo state sees these activities as autocratic, despotic and a slap on democracy by Edo state government and AC.

“We advise the state government and AC to squarely face the act of governance and stop the resort to blackmailing and intimidation to attract membership.

“The distraction of duly elected local government council chairmen from their constitutional obligation to the people should stop.”

The party urged its members not to be intimidated, urging AC to stop all activities that could ignite tension and destabilise the state.

“Edo state is large enough for all political players to play without interference and acrimony towards one another,” said the party.

But AC, in its reaction, said: “They (PDP) have no hiding place again in Edo State and that is why they are losing members every day. And they will continue to lose members until they evaporate in Edo.”