- No cause for alarm, says group
National Vice Chairman (South South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Dan Orbih has been suspended over alleged counter-moves against the party’s candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Chief Orbih, a loyalist of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo State, had rejected membership of the state Campaign Council to further emphasise his position that Governor Godwin Obaseki neglected those he met in PDP when he joined in 2020, and that the legacy group would only vote for a candidate who would represent the people’s best interest.
A statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday indicated that complaints about Orbih’s disposition towards Asue Ighodalo’s candidature and the September 21 election necessitated his suspension.
Also, a six-man committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, has been set up to investigate Orbih’s utterances and activities.
The statement reads: “The NWC unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and utterances of Chief Dan Orbih relating to the Edo State governorship primary election. His actions and utterances are inconsistent with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the demand of his office as a national officer.
“Consequently, the NWC has set up a six-member committee to investigate the issue pursuant to the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“In the meantime, the NWC forthwith suspends Chief Dan Orbih from participating in all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation…”
However, one of Orbih’s loyalists, who pleaded for anonymity, said the purported suspension is nothing to worry about as Orbih had envisaged such reaction long before now. He added that the crisis began with Governor Obaseki’s attitude towards those he met when he joined the PDP in 2020.
He said: “Chief Dan Orbih is not disturbed at all; those who thought they can ride roughshod over everybody are the ones feeling worried; let us simply wait and see how it all plays out.”
