Jonathan Nwokpor
On Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State declared that Dan Orbih, Hon. Philip Shaibu, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama would be expelled from the party. This move only served to escalate the already explosive situation.
According to the ZINGTIE, the state executives led by Anthony Aziegbemi declared the three people’s alleged expulsion from the party.
Shaibu is the former deputy governor of the state; Orbih is the party’s National Vice Chairman South-South; and Ogbeide-Ihama was the most recent Oredo Federal Constituency Representative in the National Assembly, having served as a lawmaker twice.
This was revealed in a statement made in Benin City by Ogie Vasco, the party’s state publicity secretary.
They were banished for engaging in anti-party actions, according to Vasco, who also stated that the expulsion was effective immediately.
He claimed that the State Working Committee has upheld their suspension and expulsion.
He continued by saying that the decision was made on Wednesday during a State Working Committee meeting held at the party office on Airport Road in Benin City, which nine members attended.
He claims that after thorough deliberation, the SWC decided to uphold the expulsion of Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area, and to eject Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-South, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, effective immediately.
Chief Dan Orbih responded by calling the activity the product of idlers and petty people.
In a phone interview, Orbih said that the party’s state leadership is merely “amusing their payment.”
He continued by saying that they lack the authority to suspend a National Working Committee member.
“When a group of persons who are idle and have nothing to do sit down to make pronouncements that are unconstitutional, it only shows that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party.
“They don’t have any power to even suspend or expel anybody without strictly following the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“So, that is all I have to say about that and nothing more,” he added.
ZINGTIE notes that the party’s Oredo Local Government branch has denied that Ogbeide-Ihama was kicked out of the party by the Ward 2 leaders.
Mr. Oduwa Igbinosun, the party’s local government chairman, deemed the alleged expulsion of the former lawmaker by Lawrence Aguebor and his group to be invalid.
He claims that the local government exco was moved to correct the record after learning about the alleged expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama by an anonymous organization under the leadership of Lawrence Aguebor.
“The said Lawrence is an ex-official of the ward and lacks the authority to suspend or expel anyone.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had extended the tenure of all elected excos and made ratification for them to act as a caretaker committee,” he said.
Speaking also, the local government’s PDP Ward 2 leaders denied the two-term House of Representatives member’s alleged suspension and expulsion.
The ward secretary, Mr. Jesuobo Obadigie, stated that no such action (expulsion or suspension) was carried out.
“It is expected that anyone who loves the party should, at this point, be focused on actions that will unite the party ahead of the September governorship elections.
“This is to warn mischief-makers and impostors to desist from their criminal and divisive actions that could cause potential harm,” he stated.
“Ogbeide-Ihama remains our leader and a bona fide member,” said Prince Elemah, the party’s ward chairman, who refuted signing any document disparaging the former member of the National Assembly.
The 12 members of the ward executive committee unanimously decided that Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama is still not only a member of the party but also a well-known and powerful leader. They also promised that Ward 2 members would always stand behind him.
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