In a swift response to the unexpected withdrawal of Victoria Edelokun’s candidacy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has swiftly organized an emergency primary election for the Edo North senatorial zone.
Setting up a 5-man committee, led by Chairman Sir Daniel Obiora, the PDP headquarters aims to ensure a transparent, equitable, and credible selection process for the new candidate.
Speaking to reporters at the Edo State PDP secretariat in Benin City, Chairman Sir Daniel Obiora emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are here to conduct an emergency Senatorial primary election in Edo North Senatorial District for the purpose of nominating the candidate of our party for the upcoming Senatorial election come 2023. This exercise has become important because of the withdrawal of our candidate on 23rd May. Her withdrawal has rendered that exercise inconclusive, hence the need for this exercise today, 4th of June 2023.”
Tony Aziegbemi, the Edo State PDP Chairman, clarified that the initial senatorial election held on the 23rd of May 2022 became inconclusive due to the withdrawal of Victoria Edelokun. In accordance with the party’s guidelines, which stipulate that a candidate’s withdrawal necessitates an emergency primary election, the national headquarters promptly sent a panel to oversee the process in Edo North.
Aziegbemi further explained, “The national headquarters are in receipt of the withdrawal letter; they wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify them, and they have agreed that we conduct this primary today, the 4th of June 2022. The panel is ready to do a diligent job online with the party’s constitution and guidelines.”
In a call to action, Aziegbemi urged all delegates to actively participate in the emergency primary election, emphasizing the significance of securing the senatorial seat for the PDP in the upcoming 2023 General Election.
He stated, “I urge all delegates to participate in this exercise and elect the best to get Edo North District into the family of PDP, as that is the only Senatorial District where PDP has not had a senator. But this time around, things must be different as the Senatorial seat is a must-win for the PDP come 2023 General Election.”
