PDP Ticket: Groups Threaten N2bn Lawsuit Against Imansuagbon If He Steps Down

A coalition of civil society groups in Edo State has threatened to file a N2 billion lawsuit against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuagbon, if he withdraws from the race ahead of the party’s governorship primary.

The threat came amid efforts by Governor Godwin Obaseki and some PDP leaders to persuade other aspirants to step down for the governor.

One of the aspirants, Gideon Ikhine, had already withdrawn from the contest and declared support for Obaseki, announcing that he had collapsed his political structure into that of the governor.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City, coordinator of the coalition, Iyamu Nosakhare, said the groups would also consider organising a mass protest against Imasuagbon if he abandoned his governorship ambition.

Nosakhare claimed members of the coalition had invested considerable effort in campaigning for Imasuagbon, including conducting house-to-house mobilisation and engaging PDP delegates ahead of the primary.

He said the groups were concerned by reports that Imasuagbon was considering withdrawing from the contest following pressure from party leaders.

“We have so much trust in Imasuagbon because of his antecedents. We have been selling him to PDP delegates and Edo people at large,” Nosakhare said.

He argued that after supporters had committed time and resources to promoting his candidacy, Imasuagbon should consult them before making any major decision concerning the race.

Nosakhare said the coalition would determine its next course of action depending on Imasuagbon’s decision and whether he consulted his supporters before the primary.

The threat came as negotiations intensified within the PDP to build support around Obaseki ahead of the governorship primary.