(PRESS STATEMENT)
The attention of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a misleading statement jointly signed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the former State Chairman of the party, and Mr. Duke Tenebe, purporting that the PDP State Congress scheduled to hold on Sunday, 5th October 2025, in Benin City, should be disregarded.
Ordinarily, we would have ignored such baseless and self-serving comments, but for the sake of clarity and to keep our members and the public properly informed, it has become necessary to set the record straight.
It is on record that both Dr. Tony Aziegbemi and Mr. Duke Tenebe acted on their own volition, driven by frustration and greed, having lost relevance within the party and cut off from the illicit financial pipeline of their benefactor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who has since gone on self-exile even before the expiration of his second term as Governor of Edo State.
While we understand their pain and desperation, we make bold to state that the Edo PDP is not responsible for how they feel. Their antics are mere symptoms of a failed attempt to perpetuate personal interests above party principles. Dr. Aziegbemi’s tenure as Chairman remains one filled with tales of disunity, maladministration, and disservice to the PDP and to Edo people.
It is worth recalling that these same individuals Dr. Aziegbemi and Mr. Tenebe who now claim that the forthcoming Congress is a factional exercise, were only a few days ago in the residence of Chief Dan Osi Orbih, pleading and begging for his support to validate their illegal and parallel congress. Their sudden turnaround is nothing short of laughable and a clear manifestation of political inconsistency and moral bankruptcy.
The Edo PDP leadership and members across the 18 local government areas remain resolute, focused, and united under the constitutionally recognized structure of our great party.
We therefore call on all party faithful, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard the sponsored falsehood being circulated by these frustrated elements. The Edo State PDP Congress to elect new members of the State Working Committee (SWC) will hold as scheduled on Sunday, 5th October 2025, in Benin City, Edo State.
We invite all delegates, observers, and stakeholders to participate peacefully as we take yet another step toward strengthening the PDP and restoring the people’s confidence in internal democracy.
E-Signed:
Bob-Manuel Umoru
Publicity Secretary, PDP Edo State Caretaker Committee