PDP Crisis: Orbih, others shun reconciliation rally

PDP Crisis: Orbih, others shun reconciliation rally

By: Idris Umar Momoh

The National Vice Chairman, South -South of the People's Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih along other prominent members of the party in Edo state on Thursday shunned the reconciliatory rally of the party in the state.

Dailymonitorngr.com reports that the rally was put together in less than 24-hours by the state government was to find a lasting solutions to the  leadership crisis rocking the party in the state.

The rally was attended by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu; its Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Walid Jibril and some members of the National of the Working Committees.

Dailymonitorngr.com,  also observed that no state governors in the South-South, members of the party in the National Working Committee and top chieftains of the zone were at the rally.

The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, had last Sunday at an expanded caucus meeting of leaders and members of the PDP in the state said he had invited the National leadership of the party to a meeting to wade into the party's crisis in the state.

At the rally on Thursday, the
National Vice Chairman,  South -South of the People's Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Hilary Otsu, state secretary of the party, Hon. Pascal Ugbomeh, former, member, Edo State House of Assembly among others were absent at the rally.

Members of the Chief Dan Orbih, loyalists also known as the 'legacy group" were conspicuously absent at the reconciliation rally.

Speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu said the party will set up a team to resolve the crisis in the state.

Ayu, a former senator President, who noted that the party will ensure that the governor does not leave, assured  that by next week, all the issues in Edo PDP will be resolved.

According to him, let no one can deceive you that he (Obaseki) is leaving PDP. Nigerians will see how we will receive all those from other parties. In 2023, we shall be back in power; we have started working towards that.

“Edo people, learn from my own state, Benue. If you fight, you will lose the election. I am going to bring a team that will settle the issue in Edo.I have been working from behind.

"Once the leadership is divided you won't get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms.

“Edo is going to produce the highest number of votes in the next general elections. We shall win all the Senatorial and House of Representatives seats. I want to assure you that by next week, all the issues in Edo PDP will be resolved.

"All the leaders in Edo should help to resolve the problem, not to fire it more. We will engineer the process and they will conclude the process.

, I am happy that the Deputy Governor, Shaibu said the truth that the leadership of the party in the state is not working. We are very close to solving the crisis in Edo.

“Once the leadership is divided you won't get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms.

“Edo is going to produce the highest number of votes in the next general elections. We shall win all the Senatorial and House of Representatives seats.

"All the leaders in Edo should help to resolve the problem, not to fire it more. We will engineer the process and they will conclude the process",he said.

On his part, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki,who  commended the  members of the National Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party for coming to the rally opined that PDP is the party of Edo and  PDP is in the DNA of Edo state.

Obaseki, who said PDP is the only part that  can rescue Nigeria from its current socio-economic woes also expressed confidence that the party will produce the country’s next president.

“Our chairman has what it takes to produce the next president because Nigerians are suffering too much. How can diesel be sold for over N700; you have all it takes to help us. Only PDP can rescue Nigeria from these sufferings.

“The only issue is the small quarrel in Edo PDP; once you can solve the quarrel in Edo and other states, we will take over power in 2023,”he added.

Earlier, Edo  State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who protested the exclusion of new members from the party, urged the national chairman to help resolve the crisis in the state chapter of the PDP.

“Sir, people are saying that the governor will not leave the PDP, but he will only remain if his soldiers remain in the party.

“We want you to resolve this problem in our party. We have what it takes to take over the national position in the next election. Wherever Edo goes, is where Nigeria will go. If you solve the problem in Edo, you have solved the problem in Nigeria",he stated.

In their various remarks, the state chairman of the party, Dr. Aziegbemin Anthony, Senator Mathew Urhoghide  representing Edo South senatorial district, Chief Tomi Ikimi and Clifford Ordia, representing Edo Central Senatorial district called on the national leaders of the party to find a lasting solutions to the crisis rocking the party in the state.

Dignitaries at the event include Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun and State Chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi.

Others are former governor of Gombe State, Hon.Ibrahim Dankwambo; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jubril; Senator Matthew Urhoghide; Senator Clifford Odia; Chief Tom Ikimi and PDP National Women Leader, Josephine Anenih among others.