Our attention has been drawn to a Naija News Centre online publication of July 9, 2016 reporting our Principal, a Chieftain and Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP for Edo 2016 election Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen #MAI to have submitted in a telephone interview granted to Naija News Centre in the spirit of press freedom, that the basis upon which anyone can win an election in Edo State PDP is to be a member of a secret society, particularly the Ogboni Secret Cult.
We wish to state clearly and unequivocally for the records that the said report which is already in the public domain was misrepresented, misreported and does not reflect the true response of MAI. Agreeably, Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen granted an interview on 9th July, 2016 in respect of the political deadlock currently rocking the Edo PDP; issues of MAI's relationship with Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, the ongoing court cases, relationship with Party leaders and sundry others were raised, Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen never at any time stated that the secret to win an election in Edo State PDP was to become a member of any secret cult.
Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen is a foundation member of the Edo PDP; he remains one of the very few PDP stalwarts that has been able to stand the test of time without fraternizing with opposition to destroy the existing structures of our Great Party, the PDP. The report that MAI postulated that belonging to the secret cult is a leeway to winning election in Edo PDP is unsubstantiated and does reflect the true state of things.
The Nigerian constitution allows for freedom of association and worship; Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen is a devout Catholic and believes in the Almighty God. He is a friend of the Muslim, the non-believers and ATR, he does not discriminate. He is not however, a member of the OGBONI confraternity and as a result cannot identify a member and/or non-member of the group.
The interview question thrown at Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen whether Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP is a member of the OGBONI confraternity for which Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen does not know may have been a deliberate attempt to instigate bad blood between these two prominent Edo sons and create discord between Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen and a section of Edo elders.
Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen is a full-blooded Benin son, born and raised by reputable Edo parents, he is not oblivious of the respect due our revered elders neither is he ignorant of the damning circumstances that accompanies any senseless insult on our elders.
He remains the voice of the downtrodden and voiceless members of the PDP; his membership of the PDP is non-negotiable, unwavering, uncompromising and cannot be discussed at a round table with opposition. He remains the voice of the voiceless and a father figure to the generality of Edo youth.
We respectfully call on good-spirited Edos and the general public to disregard such media report going round in the cyberspace, Matthew is PDP, PDP is Matthew, anointed to emerge victorious from his current political squabble.
Signed
Hon. Blessing Sherrif Agbebaku
DG, MAICO2016
Benin City
Hon. Blessing Sherrif Agbebaku
DG, MAICO2016
Benin City
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