Less than two weeks before the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, four aides to Governor Godwin Obaseki have resigned from their positions and left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the governor, along with Dr. Pamela Archer, who resigned as Special Adviser to Owan East Local Government Council, submitted their resignation letters on September 4 and September 6, 2024. These letters were addressed to the chairman of their respective wards and local councils.
Among those who resigned are Osayande Emenya and Henry Osaheni Ukato, both from Ward 6, Efosa Edo-Osagie from Ward 6 in Oredo Local Government, and Timothy Edokpolor from Ward 8 in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area. Emenya, who previously served as the youth leader of Ward 6 and organizing secretary of Oredo Local Government, cited the non-payment of salaries since his appointment as one of the reasons for leaving the party.
The former aides also expressed concerns about the marginalization of PDP’s long-standing members, stating that the principles of equity, fairness, and justice were no longer upheld within the party. They said, “We are resigning based on the principle of equity, fairness, and justice that no longer prevails at the Ward levels, along with the marginalization of the aboriginal PDP members.”
Pamela Archer, in her resignation from the Special Adviser position at Owan East Local Government, attributed her decision to the lack of inclusiveness in decision-making within the council. She emphasized the importance of collaborative governance, stating, “I believe in a system where diverse perspectives and expertise are considered… the current approach does not align with these values.”
All the aides expressed gratitude to Governor Obaseki and the party leadership for the opportunity to serve but underscored the challenges that led to their decisions to step down.
