Edo PDP publicity secretary resigns

n n

Osa-Ogbegie

n

By Ozioruva Aliu

n

Publicity secretary of Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daniel Osa-Ogbegie, has resigned his membership of the party.

n

He said the opposition party in the state and in Nigeria has become unfocused to the extent that few weeks before the primary elections, no serious person has indicated interest in contesting on the platform of the party in the state.

n

He said, “After careful reflection and wide consultations with friends, associates, political leaders and members of my immediate family and community, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to step down my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.

n

“Politics, in its highest form, must remain a vehicle for service to the people. When circumstances arise that require a reassessment of one’s political platform in order to continue contributing meaningfully to the development of society, leadership demands the courage to make that decision.”

n

He said his years with the PDP were remarkable with “valuable experiences, engagements and relationships that I will always appreciate.”

n

He said, “However, the present moment also calls for candour. The opposition space in the country has, regrettably, struggled to organise itself with the clarity, cohesion and forward momentum required to offer the kind of structured political alternative that strengthens democracy. Even more concerning is the reality that, with only a few weeks to the close of party nominations, there has been no visible expression of interest by credible aspirants on the platform of the PDP, nor indeed on the platforms of other opposition parties. This development compels sober reflection from all of us who believe in the necessity of purposeful political engagement.”

n

Osa-Ogbegie said he had also, in recent weeks, observed the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo and come to the realisation that the most constructive role he can play at the moment “is to step aside from the position of opposition spokesman and lend my support to efforts aimed at ensuring that the new government succeeds in delivering the progress our people deserve.”

n

“Senator Okpebholo is not a stranger to me. He is personally a friend and a brother. If he succeeds, Edo succeeds. And when Edo succeeds, we all succeed,” he added.

n

“Political platforms may change, but the ultimate duty of leadership must always remain constant: to act in ways that advance the common good of our people.

n

“At this moment in our history, I choose the path that I believe gives Edo the best chance to move forward. Not for personal gain, but so that our dear state may rise above division, transcend political bitterness, and claim the brighter future that its people deserve.

n

“For in the final analysis, the triumph that truly matters is not the victory of one party over another, but the victory of Edo State itself.”

n n