By Nefishetu Yakubu
Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman, PDP South-South chapter, has said that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was not the problem of the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to Orbih, the real problem of the PDP is those with entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election without respecting the provisions of the PDP constitution.
Orbih, also leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo, stated this while officially handing over the PDP new secretariat, he donated to the party on Wednesday in Benin.
He urged the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun to initiate congresses that would bring in new leaders capable of repositioning the PDP and restoring its lost glory.
“PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet.
“Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines.
“We must put our differences aside and work with sincere party members to rebuild and reposition the PDP for future political battles ahead.
“People are mocking the PDP and asking where we are, but I tell you today, the PDP in Edo is fully back,” he said.
Orbih claimed that Edo PDP became homeless after the party was evicted from its former secretariat in January, a situation that left members deeply unsettled and disappointed.
He added that following the eviction, party leaders and members reached out to him, expressing their frustrations, and he promised them a befitting and permanent office.
“A few weeks ago, I made a commitment during our meeting to donate a secretariat to the party. Today, I have fulfilled that promise.
“PDP can not continue to be homeless. On January 17, 2025, our former chairman was removed from the party’s former secretariat along Airport Road.
“From January until today, Edo PDP has had no state secretariat. The party has operated without a physical office or a known central location.
“Today marks a new chapter. We celebrate the official opening of a befitting PDP state secretariat, putting an end to being labeled homeless,” he added.
Orbih also used the opportunity to caution members of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, urging them to stop issuing statements on behalf of the party.
He said members of the committee were not recognised by the PDP constitution and can no longer represent the party after working to undermine it.
“I look back and feel deeply saddened by the current state of our party, which once had two senators and a House of Representatives majority in the state.
“Today, PDP has no senator, only one House representatives member, and we have lost the governorship to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he lamented.
“In my capacity as National Vice Chairman, South-South, I declare that those parading as Edo PDP Caretaker Committee members have no legitimacy or authority.
“From this day forward, we will not acknowledge any statements unless they come from those who will be managing PDP in Edo,” he concluded.
Orbih, however commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his humility and for respecting traditional institutions in the state.
“Today, we are seeing a different act of governance, we appreciate what you are doing and we urge you to continue,” he said.
(NAN)
