Election Tribunal: Edo PDP Denies Alleged Compensation By Oshiomhole.

PATRICK OCHOGA.

Amid innuendos by some aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members in Edo State over the withdrawal of the party from the suit filed by its governorship candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavhere challenging the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Election Tribunal, the party yesterday debunked the rumour making the rounds that the leadership of the party was ‘settled’ by Oshiomhole.
The party disclosed this in Benin in a press statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhoghide. Urhoghide in the statement explained the reasons why the party decided not to be joined in a legal tussle against Oshiomhole after the July 14th governorship election in the state.
He said the official position not to challenge either the result of the July 14, 2012 Governorship Election or any issue was reached after several prolonged meetings attended by strategic leaders and stakeholders of the party including the PDP flag bearer in the election.
 “Our party did not take a position a few days after the election. It took over three weeks to reach a decision and within which period a series of consultations and meetings were held to determine the best line of action. In its carefully considered opinion, Edo PDP decided not to challenge the election outcome at the Election Tribunal.
“We did not also come by the decision easily. The resolve not to go to court was as difficult for the leadership to arrive at as it must be for our numerous faithful and loyal members and supporters to come to grips with and accept.”
“It is malicious, wicked and unfounded for a group of people to bandy innuendoes and rumours suggesting that the leadership of Edo PDP accepted compensations to sell out their rights to challenge the result of the election. In fact, these same people are known to have worked against the candidate and party interest in the July 14, 2012 election. It is to our knowledge that the new aim of these people is to cause disaffection within the party, and strive to gain some sympathies and favours for themselves from top PDP leaders including the opposition party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no money and promises of choice positions both in the local government offices and in Governor Oshiomhole’s cabinet were offered to and accepted by the PDP and no high-up leader of the party bargained the party’s rights away. The decision, reached by all at the said meetings, was simply a case of the right thing to do after responsibly and painstakingly weighing all the angles”, he added.