By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN- CRISIS is brewing in Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over who becomes the running mate to the governorship candidate of the party, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd).

It was learnt that prior to the February 25,governorship primary of the party, the leadership of the party held a meeting with the nine aspirants and assured that the running mate to whoever emerged as the candidate, the Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff would be picked among them.

However, after the assurance from the leaders, one of the aspirants, Jacob Idinye, stepped down and backed Airhiavbere while other three aspirants also stepped down from the race. But Vanguard learnt that the aspirants who stepped down are drumming for war after it was gathered that the leaders have drafted names of those who did not participate in the race as possible running mate to Airiavbere.

Among the names being mentioned include that of the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba (Etsako West), Jacob Idinye (Etsako East), Edo North Vice-Chairman of the party, Johnson Abulagba (Owan West), Dr Obayinton (Akoko Edo) and Chief Richard Anethekha (Etsako Central).

Among all these names being considered, Idinye is the only one that ran the governorship race. Some party supporters felt it would be a betrayal for the leaders not to fulfill their promises by picking one of the aspirants as running mate, particularly after the aspirants have spent their money and even agreed to step down for the interest of the party.