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In an effort to
forge a united front ahead of next year’s general elections, the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo North Senatorial District
over the weekend held a peace rally where it called on its members to
bury whatever differences they had and work as one body again.

At the well
attended meeting, held in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central local
government council, the party members unanimously picked the Chief of
Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan and former deputy governor of the
state, Mike Ogiadomhe, as the leader of the party in Edo north.

They also passed a
vote of no confidence on former number two citizen, Mike Akhigbe,
accusing him of anti-party activities. Mr Akhigbe, had before the
meeting acted as party leader in the area since the death last year of
Inu Umoru.

Those in attendance
include House of Representatives leader, Tunde Akogun; Yisa Braimaoh, a
senator; former speaker of the state house of assembly, Zakawanu
Garuba; state and federal lawmakers among others.

Mr Ogiadomhe, who
was pleased by the unanimous vote, said the meeting was necessary to
prepare the party to take over the state by the next elections. He said
it was not proper for the PDP to control the federal government and not
be able to hold its own in the state.

“I cannot be the Chief of Staff to the president and when everybody is talking about his place, I will be quiet,” he said.

“So, we must work
together and make sacrifices when you have to. This is the time to
start preparing to regain what God has given to us. God gave us
something and we allowed it go, we must reclaim it now.” He thanked the
people for finding him worthy to lead the party and stressed the need
for all aggrieved members of the party who are still sitting on the
fence to declare their positions and tow the path of peace. He affirmed
the support of the zone for Mr Jonathan’s presidential ambition.

Akhigbe is unwanted

The motion for the
adoption of Oghiadomhe as the senatorial leader was moved by Victor
Ohiosimua and was seconded by Adams Ellyikazobor.

“I appreciate all
your sentiments and I have assured you in my earlier address that my
support for the party is total. I do not know whether this was planned
before, all the same I thank you for the confidence you just reposed on
me,” Mr Ogiadomhe said.

The state chairman
of the party, Dan Orbih, urged party members not to attend a similar
meeting which has been fixed for the area by Akhigbe.

“There is need to
start to address the leadership questions of the PDP in Edo North,” he
said. “The time has come for us to chose a leader that will think about
the overall interest of the party, it is time we have a leader that
will promote and represent our interest. Leaders don’t appoint
themselves, but through popular process, those who parade themselves as
leaders of this party should think twice. The party is not aware of any
other meeting summoned by any other person in Edo north so we warn all
legal party members not to attend.”

A similar peace
meeting was called by Samuel Ogbemudia for Edo south PDP, where party
members loyal to him and Anthony Anenih met together without rancour
for the first time in two years.