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.
The state executives led by Anthony Aziegbemi reportedly 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.
Ogie Vasco, the party’s state publicity secretary, revealed this in a Benin City statement.
Vasco added that their expulsion was due to anti-party conduct after stating that it was effective immediately.
He claimed that their suspension and expulsion have been upheld by the State Working Committee.
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 was attended by nine members.
He claims that after a 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.
Reacting, Chief Dan Orbih described the action as the work of idle persons and busybodies.
Orbih, who spoke in a telephone interview, said the state leadership of the party is only “amusing their payment.”
He added that they don’t have the power to suspend a member of the National Working Committee.
“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.
Recalls that the party’s Oredo Local Government chapter 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 taken.
“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 will always stand behind him.
