The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State is yet to be over as party leaders flouted Governor Godwin Obaseki instruction on appointment of women as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).
The embittered Obaseki who could not hide his feelings blasted the party leaders over inability to present at least two women for the SSAs position as instructed.
The governor expressed his disappointment at the swearing in of five SSAs and 12 Special Assistants (SAs) following harmonisation by leaders and members of the PDP on Friday.
Obaseki, who performed the inauguration ceremony in Abudu, the headquarters of Orhionmwon LGA, reiterated the need to encourage women participation in politics.
He said: “My instruction for appointment was flouted. I said for SSAs, they should give me five nominations and two of these people should be women. You want to tell me you looked around and could not get one woman.
“I don’t think it is right; it is not fair; this is not a progressive thing to do. Leaders of Orhionmwon, I am not happy at all. We are trying to make progress as a people and cannot continue to keep ourselves back.
“When we have political events, it is women that are there first. They mobilised for us and now it’s time for them to get an appointment, but they were not nominated. I hope you do something to correct it,” the governor urged.
Obaseki continued: “We are changing our politics; our democracy is about our people, particularly places like Iyekorhionmwon, which is one of the poorest local governments in our state. We need to start training our young people to take over our political space tomorrow.
“After three months, we will do an evaluation and whoever is not doing well will be replaced. When I came to campaign, we made promises and I am not the kind of leader that doesn’t fulfill promises. We must fulfill our promises to the people because tomorrow, we will go back to them.”
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Mr. Orobosa Osaigbovo, commended the governor for their appointments, pledging not to fail the government and people of Edo State.
