Abuja, NIGERIA —The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih over his alleged actions and utterances on Edo governorship primary election of the party.
The party disclosed this, in a statement, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Wednesday.
Orbih, the leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo State, rejected membership in the State PDP Campaign Council to emphasise his stance that Governor Obaseki neglected those he met in the PDP when he joined in 2020.
He asserted that the PDP Legacy Group would only support a candidate who represents the best interests of the people of Edo State.
In a statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, following the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Wednesday, it was indicated that complaints about Dan Orbih’s stance towards the candidature of Asue Ighodalo and the upcoming September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State necessitated his suspension.
Additionally, a six-man committee headed by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja has been tasked with investigating Chief Dan Orbih’s statements and activities in light of the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
“The NWC at the meeting unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and utterances of Chief Dan Orbih relating to the Edo State Governorship Primary Election of our great Party which actions and utterances are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the demand of his office as a national officer of the Party.
“Consequently, the NWC has set up a six-member committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issue pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.
“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 an investigation by the Committee.
“The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State who are rallying with our Party and Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, whose vision is in tandem with the will and aspiration of the people for continued massive development of the State on the platform of the PDP.
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Edo State to remain united, focused and continue to work hard for the victory of our Party and Candidate in the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in Edo State,” Ologunagba stated.
However, one of Chief Dan Orbih’s loyalists who requested anonymity said that the purported suspension is nothing to worry about as Chief Dan Orbih had envisaged such a reaction long before now, adding that it all began with Governor Obaseki’s attitude towards those he met when he defected to the PDP in 2020.
“Chief Dan Orbih is not disturbed at all; those who thought they could ride roughshod over everybody are the ones feeling worried; let us simply wait and see how it all plays out,” he stated.
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