Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Saturday defied a heavy downpour to take part in the party’s ward congresses, electing new executives and delegates across all 192 wards.
Naija News understands that at Oredo Wards I, II, and III in Benin City, where journalists monitored the exercise, the process was marked by enthusiasm, orderliness, and a large turnout, as party faithful endured the rains to cast their votes.
The State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, who led the monitoring team alongside members of the Ward Congress Electoral Committee from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, hailed the event as a signal of the PDP’s resilience.
“The ward congresses were very peaceful. Members of the PDP were vibrant, very active, and elected the 17-member executives in the wards we attended,” Channels Television quoted Aziegbemi as saying.
He admitted he was initially uncertain about the level of participation but said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the dedication of members.
“I was jittery at first, not knowing what to expect, but I was moved by the enthusiasm. We think PDP is rising, and we believe we will give the APC a run for their money,” he declared.
The chairman added that the “abysmal failure of the government at both the federal and state levels” would open the way for the PDP to reclaim Edo in 2027.
Chairman of the PDP Ward Congress Electoral Committee, Tariga Tulagha, also praised the peaceful conduct of members across the state.
“We went out to conduct elections for officers and delegates across all wards, and so far, it has been peaceful with full compliance with the law. Despite the rain, people turned out massively, and we are impressed,” Tulagha said.
He dismissed claims of internal divisions within the PDP in Edo, stressing that the voting pattern reflected unity.
“We observed a unity of purpose. If there was division, it would have shown in the voting process. But when motions were raised, the ‘ayes’ were 100 per cent and the ‘nays’ were zero. The issue of factions does not apply here,” he explained.
The congresses come at a crucial time for the party in Edo State, which has faced internal disputes and defections since the 2020 governorship election.
With the 2027 elections looming, party leaders say the ward congress is the first step in rebuilding structures, mobilising grassroots support, and positioning the PDP as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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