By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—THE crisis  brewing in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo Central senatorial district has taken a new turn with the leadership of the party saying that it recognises zoning, adding that whoever wants to contest against the arrangement was free to test his popularity.

At a zonal caucus meeting of the party on September 12 in Uromi, the party had adopted a zoning arrangement that did not favour the return of the three federal lawmakers representing the zone in the National Assembly.

They are Senator Odion Ugbesia, Edo Central; Mr. Friday Itulah, Esan North-East/Esan South-East federal constituency; and Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben federal constituency.

However, at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Edo Central PDP members at Uromi, Edo State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, quoted aspects of the PDP’s constitution to back his claim that the party recognises zoning, adding that the party would not, however, bar other aspirants from testing their popularity at the polls.

Reacting, Mr. Itulah gave kudos to the leadership of the party for not stopping any aspirant from contesting.
Another aspirant, Mr. Sergius Ogun, said it was regrettable that Senator Ugbesia, Mr. Itulah and Mr. Ikhariale were against the zoning arrangement, pointing out that he was ready for the primaries.