As one of the staunches members of the then Legacy PDP, I read in Vanguard Newspaper on Sunday titled ‘Grumbling in Edo PDP’s Legacy Group over Okpebholo’s appointments’.
The news was not only a sponsored spin most probably hatched by a former Special Adviser on Media to Governor Godwin Obaseki (2016-2024) the former governor of Edo State, who is still bitter, reeling (and now eternally jobless) from the September 21, 2024 damning defeat to the godson of Obaseki, Asue Ighodalo.
Apart from the obvious fact that the news or story was sponsored, there is no sense in it, which is the hallmark lies of Crusoe Osagie, who doubles as a pastor, unfortunately.
First, the Legacy PDP has since metermorphosized to Legacy Coalition since some members of the All Progressive Party, APC, has since joined the group still under the leadership of Chief Dan Orbih. So where did Crusoe see the said Legacy PDP Group? Secondly, if members of the group are grumbling about appointments by Governor Okpebholo that have just begun, that is very elastic, how sensible does it make for them to go all the way to report to H.E. Nyesom Wike in Abuja, rather then the leader of the group, Chief Orbih, who obviously have the ears and eyes of Governor?
I am sure they were not eyes closed when the governor, Senator Okpebholo, recently graced the 20th anniversary of Chief Dan Orbih’s father death. He was with us from the church to the reception ground with visible affection and conviviality for Chief Dan Orbih.
Crusoe and his paid hacks in Vanguard, where he was an errand boy before he was snapped by Obaseki through nepotism and favouritism, should not forget Chief Dan Orbih made sure some members of his then Legacy Group got tickets under his leadership from House of Assembly to Senate. The duel between the group and that of Obaseki went as far as the Supreme Court before the ruling favoured Obaseki’s group. The likes of Hon. Paschal Ogbome and others can testify to the effort Chief put into the duel even with all the funds and power which Obaseki possessed then. Did Chief Dan contest then? Did any of his brother or sister or relative contest then? The answer is no. Under his leadership as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State, as the Chairman, the Party produced two senators and several House of Representative members, including Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama, who won the seat twice, breaking the jinx of Oredo Federal Constituency where no one had ever won twice. So for anyone to accuse Chief of being self-centered is bemusing, wicked and disingeneous.
Crusoe and his gang of bitter losers cannot continue in gloom and tears because Chief Dan Orbih was appointed the Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The appointment is a simple act of recognition and appreciation of bipartisan development efforts by Senator Okpebholo, unlike Obaseki who fought everyone that supported him from his first term in 2016 to his second term in 2020 under both APC and PDP. Senator Oshiomole, HE Wike, Chief Dan Orbih, Hon. Paschal Ogbome, Dr Mike Olomememen, Charles Idahosa, Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama, Hon. Adjoto Kabiru…can all testify to the bitter pill of betrayal by Obaseki. So are they expecting Senator Okpebholo to be the same?
And lastly, some of us have called H.E. Wike, concerning the purported visitation by alleged grumbling members of Legacy Group, he denied ever entertaining such persons in Abuja. So which of the Wike did Vanguard said was visited? As a reputable newspaper, were they not supposed to put a call across to H.E. Wike to confirm the story?
Let Crusoe and his ilks under Obaseki know Chief Dan Orbih is a natural leader, not because of position. He left office as the Chairman of PDP, Edo State, years now, yet, he still has influence in the 18 LGAs and beyond – as the current Vice Chairman, South South.
Chief Dan Orbih has openly said he is all for good governance in Edo state he is in support of the good steps by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo so far, nothing these bitter losers can do about it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Attah Frederick wrote from Abuja.
