Stakeholders in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to Gov. Godwin Obaseki, have called for the immediate removal of Chief Dan Orbih as the Vice Chairman, South South of the party.
The stakeholders made the demand during a meeting in Benin City, which was attended by party leaders and chieftains from all the senatorial districts in the state.
metrowatchxtra understands that the call is on the heels of the crisis rocking the PDP in Edo where two factions — one loyal to Obaseki and the other to Orbih — are in court over the authentic candidates of the party in the state in the 2023 general elections.
A leader of the party, Omoregbe John, said “critical stakeholders have discovered that the Vice Chairman, South-South of the PDP does not mean well for the party as his public statements and conduct has revealed.
“The polarization has been actively fueled by Chief Dan Orbih for his personal gains and that of the dark interest he represents. When we expected that peace will return to Edo PDP after the avoidable litigations that climaxed at the Supreme Court and setting up of the reconciliation committee by the Governor of Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih and his cohorts have called meetings of their people to intimate them on their own moves, which negates the party’s constitution.”
He added, “the party constitution says no member or officer of the party should engage in any activity that will ridicule the party but Chief Dan Orbih went on air and social media space to ridicule the party and damage the image of the flagbearer of the party for the 2023 general election by sowing anger and doubt in the mind of both party members and the voting public.
“It is common knowledge that Chief Orbih and members of the National Working Committee agreed among themselves to draw housing allowance from the account of the party while trying to denigrate the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.”
Omoregbe urged, “We are calling for the immediate sack or suspension of Chief Dan Orbih within seven days or we will, in conjunction with other stakeholders across the South-South region, occupy the state secretariat and put party activities on hold until our request is granted.
“Members will also converge at the party secretariat along First East Circular Road in Benin City to shut it down and lock it up if our demand is not attended to.”
“We are committed to working for the success of our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa,” he reassured.
