BENIN-CITY: Despite a heavy downpour, members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State turned out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in the party’s ward congresses, where new executives and delegates were elected across the state’s 192 wards.
In Oredo Wards I, II, and III in Benin City closely monitored by journalists the exercise was peaceful and marked by high enthusiasm, with party faithful arriving at polling grounds as early as 7:30 a.m.
The congress was supervised by the State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, alongside members of the Ward Congress Electoral Committee sent from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Aziegbemi described the exercise as a strong demonstration of the PDP’s resilience and readiness for a political comeback.
The ward congresses were very peaceful. Members were vibrant, active, and elected 17-member executives in each ward we attended. I was initially unsure about the turnout, but I was pleasantly surprised by the massive participation despite the rain, he said.
He expressed optimism that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would face stiff competition in the 2027 elections, citing what he called the abysmal failure of government at both the federal and state levels.
Chairman of the PDP Ward Congress Electoral Committee, Mr. Tariga Tulagha, also praised members for their unity and discipline during the exercise.
We conducted elections for officers and delegates across all wards, and it was peaceful, lawful, and well-attended. Despite the weather, the turnout was impressive.
The voting pattern showed unity of purpose motions were unanimously supported, with no signs of division, Tulagha noted.
The exercise, which produced 17-member ward executives in all 192 wards, is being seen by party leaders as a crucial step in rebuilding the PDP’s grassroots structure in Edo and laying the foundation for its 2027 electoral strategy.
