… Orbih, Adjoto vow not to support Ighodalo
•South-south national vice chair denounces membership of PDP Campaign Council •Gives Governor Obaseki hard knocks
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-south, Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday, denounced his membership of the PDP Campaign Council for the Edo State governorship election announced few days ago by the party.
He made the denouncement of his membership at his country home in Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State during the Edo North PDP (Legacy) leaders stakeholders meeting.
He said that the current PDP led by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his choice candidate, Asue Ighodalo, cannot lead Edo State, adding that the PDP legacy group would vote for candidate who would represent the good people of the state.
Besides, Orbih stressed that the PDP legacy group is the foundation of PDP anchored on unity, fairness, justice and equity, saying that since Obaseki came into the party in 2020 he abandoned the group who worked and voted for his re-election.
“I am not part and parcel of PDP Campaign Council. In 2020 we came out in Edo North supporting the election and re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“I Chief Dan Orbih worked with Governor Obaseki to deliver him. People ask me question where are we today, what is the way forward?
“Today, I can boldly tell you the issue before us is what is the way forward? Let me tell you all is not well with Edo State PDP.
“As we prepare and move forward for the upcoming election we will do all we can to let Edo people know that this election is about Edo and the future of Edo.
“Let me send a powerful message to PDP, we the Edo PDP can tell you that it is not well with Edo PDP.
“I hereby denounce my membership as a member of PDP Edo Campaign Council. Obaseki and his choice candidate is not the way forward,” he said.
Chief Orbih expressed displeasure over the removal of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, describing it as political.
He said that the legacy PDP group is solidly behind the ex-deputy governor.
“The quest to remove Philip Shaibu as deputy governor is political. The present predicament of Philip Shaibu is that some persons are saying you have no right to contest the election.
“Shaibu political travail is coming as a result of politics. We here today want to let the good people of Edo North to know that we support you, appreciate you and in the matter between you and Edo State government we stand by you.
“I am aware and convinced Philip Shaibu has taken his case to determine whether the governor was right or wrong. As for the PDP legacy group we are proud of Philip Shaibu,” Orbih said.
Also speaking, the former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, said that PDP under the leadership of Obaseki could not manage the success of the victory in 2020.
He stated that instead of Obaseki to consolidate on the victory recorded in 2020 election by rewarding those that worked for his re-election, he opted for other persons within the party who never worked for the party.
Adjoto, however, pledged to work with the Orbih-led PDP in the forthcoming Edo election, adding that he and his supporters in Akoko Edo are on the same page with the Orbih group.
“Chief Dan Orbih we have seen what you saw and we are here to queue behind you anywhere you go, we go. We are waiting for your instruction,” Adjoto said.
In his comment, ex-Deputy Governor, Shaibu said that he is with the Orbih PDP legacy group.
He said that Edo people cannot vote for a candidate who does not know the problem and challenges faced by the people.
“We will not vote for an outsider in Edo State. Edo State needs a homegrown person, I want to assure you that we are in support of Chief Dan Orbih legacy group.
“We will not support Asue Ighodalo, but wait for the direction of the PDP legacy group on who to vote for,” Shaibu said.
Among leaders who attended the meeting were Hon. Jega, Jude Imagwe, Damian Lawani, Akhaba, Fred Attah and Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, a member of the PDP legacy group from Edo South.