PDP NWC suspends South-South Vice-Chairman Orbih

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih, over his alleged involvement in sabotaging the party’s efforts in Edo State.

The PDP branch in Edo State has been struggling with internal conflicts since the February 22, 2024, governorship primary, which resulted in Asue Ighodalo becoming the gubernatorial candidate.

Dissatisfied party members then took legal action against the party.

Last week, Justice Inyang Ekwo declared the primary election invalid in a judgment in case FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, which challenged the exclusion of 378 delegates.

On Wednesday, the PDP appealed the ruling.

In a statement released on Wednesday by its national spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said Orbih’s actions and comments regarding the Edo State governorship primary were not in line with the party’s constitution.

Ologunagba announced that the National Working Committee had set up a six-man committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate 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, examined all issues including complaints about the activities of the National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih in relation to the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

“The NWC in its meeting unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and statements of Chief Dan Orbih in relation to the governorship primary of our great party in Edo State, as these actions and statements are contrary to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and the requirements of his office as a national official of the party.

“Consequently, the NWC has set up a six-man committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the incident in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution.

“In the meantime, the NWC immediately suspends Chief Dan Orbih from attending all NWC meetings, activities and programs until the investigation by the committee is completed.”

The PDP NWC urged all its leaders, key stakeholders and numerous members in Edo State to remain united and focused and continue to work diligently for Ighodalo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election.

It said: “The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State who are behind our party and our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, whose vision is in line with the will and aspirations of the people to continue to massively develop the state on the platform of the PDP.

“The NWC calls on all leaders, key stakeholders and numerous members of our party in Edo State to remain united and focused and continue to work hard for the victory of our party and our candidate in the Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.”