PDP shuns Tambuwal's visit to Edo

The Peoples Democratic Party leadership in Edo State, on Friday,shunned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, when he visited the state.

There was the conspicuous absence of  Edo PDP leadership at the Benin Airport to receive Nigeria's No. 4 citizen, hours after a large crowd, including the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, had gathered at the airport, awaiting his arrival.

Tambuwal, who was in Edo as a guest of the state deputy governor, a former two-time member of the House of Representatives, who celebrated both his birthday and the silver jubilee of his marriage, answered questions from reporters on some national issues.

The Speaker, on arrival at the Benin Airport at exactly 10.30 am, aboard an 18-seater aircraft marked 5N-LDM, was received by a crowd of predominantly Action Congress of Nigeria supporters.

In the absence of notable PDP chiefs on ground to welcome him, other lawmakers from Abuja, including House Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, was on hand to receive Tambuwal.

Alighting from the aircraft after Tambuwal, however, were two PDP (Edo) members from the House of Representatives, Friday Itulah and Patrick Ikhariale.

When contacted on the near absence of PDP members at the airport to receive the Speaker, PDP chairman in the state, Chief Dan Orbih,

feigned ignorance of Tambuwal's visit, saying it was only those who were informed that went.

Orbih said the party (PDP) was kept in the dark about the Speaker's visit to the state.

He said, 'I am not aware that they are expecting him. If a leader is coming, I should have been there, but I was not informed and I am not aware.'

Responding to questions from journalists on some national issues, Tambuwal said consultations were ongoing on the 2013 appropriation bill and that Nigerians would benefit from the budget at the appropriate time.

He said, 'I am here to celebrate with my brother, the deputy governor, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of his wedding and his birthday and also to pay my respect to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.'