The conflict within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concluded on Wednesday as the State Working Committee (SWC) expelled former deputy governor Comrade Phillip Shaibu and Chief Dan Orbih, the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party.
Also expelled was the immediate past member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
These expulsions are an escalation of the rift between the Legacy Group, a faction opposed to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s leadership, and the mainstream PDP in Edo State.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman of the Edo PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, and seven other SWC members, including Tony Anenih Jr., who participated virtually.
Aziegbemi cited anti-party activities as the primary reason for the expulsions, stating that they had clearly severed their ties with the PDP.
He assured that the party would succeed in the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
The Legacy Group has consistently accused the Obaseki administration of sidelining core PDP members since Obaseki and Shaibu joined the party in 2020, following their departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although Shaibu initially wasn’t part of the group, his loss in the PDP gubernatorial primaries and subsequent impeachment drove him to align with them.
His recent declaration of support for the APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, solidified his position against the current PDP leadership.
Shaibu further added to the controversy by donating 45 campaign buses and his campaign headquarters to the APC while still officially a PDP member.
The Edo PDP Chairman said, “Dan Orbih was expelled because he has been encouraging PDP members to join the opposition. He also accepted a governing council position at a third-tier institution without consulting the party.”
Aziegbemi added, “Shaibu’s donation of 15 vehicles to the APC and his disrespect towards party leaders disqualify him as a true PDP member. Similarly, Ogbeide-Ihama’s building on Sakponba Road, now an APC campaign site, confirms his disloyalty.”
