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The Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih, for allegedly working against the party’s efforts at winning the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
The PDP’s governorship primary election of February 22, 2024, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s flag bearer, had thrown up series of issues challenging the party leadership in the state.
Aggrieved members had taken the party to court to contest the outcome of the primary election.
Last week’s verdict of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, invalidated the primary.
The party has however appealed the judgment, indicating that Mr Igbodalo would rain its candidate until a final court pronouncement on the matter.
Chief Orbih as well as former deputy governor Philip Shaibu, had been accused of making statements suggested they were pleased with the nullification of the primary election.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP explained that Orbih’s actions and comments regarding the Edo State Governorship Primary Election are not in line with the party’s constitution.
Ologunagba revealed that the National Working Committee has established a six-member committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate Orbih.
“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, Ologunagba said.
“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 statement urged all PDP leaders, key stakeholders, and numerous members in Edo State to remain united, and focused, and to continue working diligently for Ighodalo’s victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.
“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,” said Ologunagba.
“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.” he added