Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has reached out to aggrieved members of the party, urging cooperation and support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party particularly appealed to aspirants who lost out at the party’s primaries to work for the success of the party in next year’s general election, stressing that the party could only achieve success if all members worked in unity.
The Edo State Chairman of the party, Mr. David Olukoga, made the appeal in Benin City at an enlarged stakeholders meeting of the party.
Olukoga, who also used the occasion to unveil the candidates of the party for the 2027 National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections, urged all aggrieved members to seek legal redress instead of working to undermine the party’s chances at the polls.
This was as he hinted that the party wanted to start focusing on how to win the election instead of dissipating energy on resolving the post-primaries crisis.
‘The main issue is for the party to win elections and not for individuals to start fighting over positions. We have to move on. Nobody is perfect. I have my shortcomings. We are here to appeal to our members to please take things easy.
‘We will continue to appeal. Primaries have come and gone. But there are still issues. We are following the peaceful process so that we can resolve.
‘Some persons want to proceed to fight for their right. We appeal to them to follow due process and through legal process. Violence cannot give you any mandate except through legal redress. If you are not satisfied, seek legal redress, you can have it back through legal means.’ He pleaded
Olukoga warned that ‘Insulting and fighting leaders on various platforms will not be accepted. Elections are closed, but we are yet to resolve issues. We appeal to you, most especially the aspirants.
‘The primaries have come and gone. Most of us are aggrieved. I am appealing to you to look inward and let us move on so that we can succeed in the next election.
‘The main goal is to capture Nigeria back so that institutions can work and not individuals. We need someone who is not in this cartel.
‘The only person we see is Peter Obi. I am sure by the time we leave this hall, we should settle ourselves,’ he enthused.
The Edo Central Senatorial Leader, Peter Ojeimen, who apologised on behalf of the party, said the party would produce the next governor of Edo.
The leader of the party in Edo North, Dr. Sylva Afetu Oshiokpekhai, called for unity and urged party members to begin house-to-house campaigns.