Bini, Afenmai in unending battle.

The Nation Archive.

IT is a party in peprpetual crises. Ever since the supremacy battle between Chief Tony Anenih and Dr Samuel Ogbemudia became public knowledge, the heart of Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stopped beating.

Now, indigenes of Edo North are at war with their Southern counterparts. The Afenmai no longer trust their Bini brothers. Governor Oserheimen Osunbor is at the middle, undecided. To him, it is just a trying period.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, the governor said: "There is no problem insurmountable in the party. We have had problems like this before in the past and we surmounted them."

Now, members of the party at the National Aseembly are wading into the crisis which boarders on which zone should produce the state PDP chairman.

Some of them met at Uromi.

The meeting at Uromi may not be unconnected with the Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen’s assertion that Edo North and South should lobby Edo Central for the emergence of the state chairman of PDP which is the bone of contention.

Still, Ogbemudia is not relenting in the struggle to arm – twist Anenih to favour his people in Edo South. In a meeting held at NTA Benin zonal headquarters Main Auditorium by the People United to save Edo State, the partisan group said it is not a fight per – se, but that justice should be done.

The current political status of the state according to distribution of offices is as follows:

Edo North: Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice–President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Edo Central: Governor Oserheimen Osunbor.

Edo South: Deputy Governor, Imasuen, Minister of Interior Affairs, Major Gen. Godwin Abe and Ambassador designate, the Bini Crown Prince.

The Otaru of Auchi (Edo North) Alhaji Haliru Momoh described the treatment given to his senatorial district as unfair. He called for an end to the political marginalisation of the Afenmai people that constitute the Edo North zone.

"What has been done to us is not fair at all. We can be a better community in Edo State if we are our brother’s keepers", he added.

He said efforts should be made to create the Afenmesan State, so that instead of fighting over ministerial, ambassadorial and governorship position, there would be enough public offices to go round the zones.

While some argued that the crisis in PDP is not good for democracy in the state, others are happy and they are fanning the embers of war. For instance, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in a statement signed by Comrade Godwin Erhahon, its State Publicity Secretary, appealed to all good people of Edo State to pray God to sustain the on going war between Anenih and Ogbemudia, , as the Almighty has sustained the quarrel that has separated both of them from the Igbinedions in recent times.

"ANPP believes that the political conspiracy amongst the triumvirate of Anenih, Ogbemudia and Igbinedion from 1998 till 2003 worked against the interest of the common man and therefore, did not receive God’s blessing."

"No wonder God has now pitched Anenih and Ogbemudia against each other at a time they were playing God by scheming for and against an unforeseeable second term for Osunbor whose first term legitimacy is still being contested at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

"The good people of Edo State should therefore, not allow themselves to be dragged into the rift, no matter how attractive it is dressed in ethnic sentiments. It is a battle for political supremacy between two oppressors.

"Let us therefore, praise God for allowing confusion into the camp of our oppressors. May those who conspired to rig elections in our land never enjoy peace and unity.

"The utterances from both Anenih and Ogbemudia’s camps betrayed their hope in the ability of PDP to continue to rig future elections and as such, rubbish the much talked about electoral reforms of the President Umaru Musa Yar,Adua’s administration. Both camps stand condemned!"

The Benin National Congress (BNC), in a statement signed by the President, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, after a critical diagnosis of the leadership crisis rocking the PDP in the state, also resolved as follows:

"That the antagonism against Ogbemudia (playing out in the form of a class struggle) by some PDP elements across the state particularly Edo North and Edo Central, rather call for a sober reflection in view of the calculated damage orchestrated by the architect of the blackmail on one of our son and a national leader of PDP and by extension Benin interests and integrity.

"That the congress is worried that the personality of Ogbemudia (A former military administrator of Mid-West State and a former civilian governor of old Bendel State); with national and international tributes and reputation in view of his developmental contributions even as a former Labour Minister of the Federal Republic could be so resolved to frontally address the imbalance in the state political super – structure.

"That although our people are still sobering over the violent and high powered rigging of Edo State mandate in the April 14 election, some so called Edo PDP leaders could have the effrontery to denigrate Ogbemudia and Edo South people in general despite our population and resources superiority which formed the bedrock of Adams Oshiomhole’s open victory at the April poll. And the back – up for Oshiomhole by the Benin’s was borne out of the need to redress the marginalisation of Edo South people even though one of our sons was a governor, we need not say that Igbinedion was forcefully suppressed to a corner by Mr. Fix it through the instrumentality of the National Secretariat of the party which was in his palm.

"That the congress is constrained to comment on this matter because of the political coloration of the issues arising there from, we wish to state unambiguously that Ogbemudia must rise up and be counted as a statesman than as a politician, by courageously denouncing the schemes that heralded the rigged elections of April. It must be pointedly stated that docility or such attitudes that questions bravery disposition are not known attitude of war – veterans of which Ogbemudia is an icon. Its more timely act now that Edo South people have resolved to put the past aside knowing fully well that his perceived misdemeanors where done inadvertently.

"That the congress believes that the immeasurable contributions of Ogbemudia has been a threat to some PDP elements masquerading as senatorial leaders hence diabolic attempts are fabricated to undermine the Edo South leader. Whether politically, socially or otherwise, Ogbemudia is a pride of the Benin’s and to those that cherish his charismatism.

The congress as a vehicle for the expression of Edo interests would mobilise Edo South people for the embattled leader more so when the congress is sure that he, Ogbemudia, would rise to the occasion by seizing the opportunity of this crisis to stand by majority of Edo people who voted for Oshiomhole. By going to the tribunal to expose the open secret of how the PDP rigged the April 14 election. This will make our leader Ogbemudia the hero of our time.

"That the congresses wish to warn that in appreciation of the homogeneity of the Edo culture and the sustained attitude of inter – marriage amongst Edo State peoples should not be under played by the actors of the present crisis whom are unnecessarily weeping ethnic sentimentalism into a glaring political tussle in the Edo State PDP. This matter has nothing to do with ethnicity."

Also, another twist has appeared in the crisis and it is coming from the Edo State Independent Electoral Commmission (EDSIEC) chaired by Justice Aliyu Okunega.

It borders on the action of a PDP Vice – Chairman from Edo North, Bruno Oshiokpekhai.

EDSIEC which has just won a case between it and the former Chairman, Justice Gabriel Okugbowa removed by the State House of Assembly’s two-thirds majority vote and accused of selling forms to independent candidates against the constitutional provision, spoke of the need to organise a credible election. According to, Oshiokpekhai has no right whatsoever to send a list of six people he called his candidates to the commission. He added that PDP, should tell him to obey Party rules and electoral guidelines so as to enable the commission perform effectively and independently.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba and copied to other members, EDSIEC alleged that Oshiokpekhai addressed a letter to the Chairman of EDSIEC, Justice Aliyu Okunega. The purported letter reads in parts:

"I bring calvary greetings to you, my lord. You know that our party is heavily factionalised and I am sure you know my present predicament and ill – treatment being meted out to me now as a result of the principled position I often take on issues",

"As a result, I am not sure that candidates for the forth – coming local government election will be picked though I have submitted them to the state working committee having struggled with the State Screening Committee which is also not trusted. Even as their names have been accepted and enlisted, I trust no one, as the names could be substituted. More so, you know the operations of PDP", "I therefore forward the names of my councillorship candidates to you confidentially, so that if the names do not make the PDP list, you kindly help me re-substitute them and I am sure your claim and acceptance will be final".

With all the gladiators flexing muscles, it is not known what will be become of the party in the Heartbeat of the Nation.