Edo PDP, BNC hail Jonathan over Ogiemwonyi’s appointment

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and  Benin National Congress (BNC), a socio-cultural organization in the state, have commended Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for announcing Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi as ministerial nominee from the state.

While the PDP, through a statement signed by the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said Ogiemwonyi’s nomination would further strengthen the party in the state, the BNC described it as a blessing to the Bini, admonishing that he must remain focused in order to achieve success in his new job.

Ogienwonyi, a former group executive director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was announced as the state’s ministerial nominee by the acting president last Tuesday. He recently joined the PDP in the state and is nursing the ambition to vie for the 2012 governorship election in the state.

However, while reacting to his nomination, the PDP asserted that “his knowledge and wealth of experience will be brought to bear in the discharge of his duties. The party eulogized Ogiemwonyi’s sterling qualities of honesty, transparency and dedication to public service.

“The choice of Ogiemwonyi is well deserved and acceptable to all. We hail his commitment and loyalty to the party,” Orbih’s statement said.

The BNC, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Intelligence, said Ogiemwonyi is “ a round peg in a round hole for the appointment as minister, based on the new order that the acting president seeks to establish for Nigeria. We seek this medium to task him to appreciate the doctrine of the transience of power. This should guide him in boosting his existing cordial relationships with Edo people.

“He should remain consultative with relevant stakeholders and proactive in representing the state.”