By Abiola Olawale
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has announced the suspension of the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih.
The NWC hinged the suspension of Orbih on his alleged involvement in sabotaging the party’s efforts in Edo State.
A statement released on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, explained that Orbih’s actions and comments regarding the Edo State Governorship Primary Election were not in line with the party’s constitution.
Ologunagba also disclosed that the NWC has constituted a six-member committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the allegations nailed against Orbih.
The statement read in part: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 588th meeting today, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, considered all issues, including complaints on the activities of the National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih concerning the September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State
“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 under 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 party added: “The PDP NWC urged all its leaders, key stakeholders, and numerous members in Edo State to remain united, and focused, and to continue working diligently for Ighodalo’s victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.”
It further stated: “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.”
The New Diplomat reports that the PDP Edo State Chapter has been dealing with internal conflicts since the conduct of the governorship primary election on February 22, 2024, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate.
The trouble started when the suspended Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu held a parallel primary election, where he emerged as the governorship candidate.
Shaibu had argued that the delegates who voted for him were the real delegates of the PDP.
Following the announcement of Ighodalo and subsequent issuance of the Certificate of Return, some dissatisfied party members took the party to court.
Last week, Justice Inyang Ekwo, invalidated the primary in a judgment for case FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, which contested the exclusion of 378 delegates.
However, on Wednesday, the PDP appealed the judgment.
