PDP Suspends National Vice Chairman Dan Orbih

Dan Orbih

PDP suspends Dan Orbih, national vice chairman...

PDP suspends National Vice Chairman Dan Orbih over anti-party activities in Edo State. He's accused of undermining party initiatives and violating the party constitution. A 6-member committee will investigate

Dan Orbih, the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been suspended by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) on accusations that he is undermining the party's initiatives in Edo State.

Internal strife has plagued the PDP in Edo State ever since Asue Ighodalo emerged victorious in the governorship primaries on February 22, 2024.

Party members who were not happy filed a lawsuit, and last week Justice Inyang Ekwo declared the primary in case FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 unlawful, pointing out that 378 delegates had been excluded.

The party's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made it clear in a statement released on Wednesday, July 10, that Orbih's statements and actions concerning the Edo State Governorship Primary Election are in violation of the party constitution.

The Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, is the chair of the six-member team that the National Working team has appointed to look into Orbih, according to Ologunagba.

The statement said, in part, “The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at its 588th meeting today, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, considered all issues, including complaints on the activities of the National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih concerning the September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State

“The NWC at the meeting unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and utterances of Chief Dan Orbih relating to the Edo State Governorship Primary Election of our great Party which actions and utterances are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the demand of his office as a national officer of the Party.

“Consequently, the NWC has set up a six- member committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issue under the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.

“In the meantime, the NWC forthwith suspends Chief Dan Orbih from participating in all meetings, activities, and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of an investigation by the Committee.”

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has appealed to all party leaders, stakeholders, and members in Edo State to remain united and focused, urging them to continue working tirelessly towards achieving victory for Ighodalo in the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024.

It stated, “The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State who are rallying with our Party and Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, whose vision is in tandem with the Will and aspiration of the people for continued massive development of the State on the platform of the PDP.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Edo State to remain united, focused, and continue to work hard for the victory of our Party and Candidate in the September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State.”