2023: Obaseki’s men missing in INEC’s candidates’ list

There was disquiet in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s camp loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday following the conspicuous absence of candidates names from the Independent National Electoral Commissiin (INEC) list to contest the 2023 general elections.

The PDP in Edo State has been embroiled in leadership tussle between the governor and Chief Dan Orbih, the Vice Chairman, South-South of the party.

To this end, both factions held a parallel congress in May 2022. 

In the aftermath of the congress, the two factions have been engaged in legal battle for recognition of thier candidates to contest the general election.

On Tuesday, INEC displayed the names of candidates to contest the 2023 polls on its notice board at the commission’s head office in Benin City.

A close look at the list showed that the PDP candidates cleared for the election are those who emerged from a congress organised by the Dan Orbih-led faction of the party.

The Commission in its remark on the displayed list attributed its decision to  a court order.