BY GABRIEL   ENOGHOLASE

BENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, weekend, resolved to participate in elections into the 18 local government areas of the state slated for April 20.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, in a statement in Benin after an enlarged state executive meeting, said: “The resolve is against words in the streets to the effect that Edo PDP will not contest the elections, words which we urge our party members and indeed, all Edo people, to disregard.”

The party’s position is coming on the heels of recent call by one of its chieftains in the state, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, that the elections should be boycotted by the party and others in the state.

“This is against the displeasure expressed over the action of Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, which failed to formally invite our party to the stakeholders meeting where modalities for the election were outlined.

“EDSIEC’s unacceptable action in not inviting Edo PDP to a briefing on an important election such as this one, has since been addressed appropriately,” he added.