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Tag: Dan Orbih

  • Edo guber poll: Wike loyalist, Dan Orbih suspended from PDP exco

    Edo guber poll: Wike loyalist, Dan Orbih suspended from PDP exco

    …it’s nothing to worry about’ – Wike group

    Orbih, a staunch loyalist of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo State, rejected membership in the State PDP Campaign Council to emphasise his stance that Governor Obaseki neglected those he met in the PDP when he joined in 2020.

    He asserted that the PDP Legacy Group would only support a candidate who represents the best interests of the people of Edo State.

    In a statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, following the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Wednesday, it was indicated that complaints about Dan Orbih’s stance towards the candidature of Asue Ighodalo and the upcoming September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State necessitated his suspension.

    Additionally, a six-man committee headed by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja has been tasked with investigating Chief Dan Orbih’s statements and activities in light of the provisions of the PDP Constitution.

    “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.

    Read Also: PDP will return to power in 2023 with new NWC – Dan Orbih

    “Consequently, the NWC has set up a six-member committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issue pursuant to 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 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,” Ologunagba stated.

    However, one of Chief Dan Orbih’s loyalists who requested anonymity told ‘The Nation that the purported suspension is nothing to worry about as Chief Dan Orbih had envisaged such a reaction long before now, adding that it all began with Governor Obaseki’s attitude towards those he met when he defected to the PDP in 2020.

    “Chief Dan Orbih is not disturbed at all; those who thought they could ride roughshod over everybody are the ones feeling worried; let us simply wait and see how it all plays out,” he stated.

  • PDP’s Orbih hails APC’s Okpebholo on road construction

    PDP’s Orbih hails APC’s Okpebholo on road construction

    The National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, has said he is pained by how Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki is treating members of Legacy Coalition.
    He asked him to mend fences with them before it is too late.
    Orbih hailed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on the efforts he made to convince the Federal Government to effect repairs on the deplorable Benin-Auchi Road.

    Read Also: SPDC 6.73bb reserves: NUPRC begins divestment due diligence


    He said he earlier made efforts to convince Obaseki to repair the strategic road, without success.
    Orbih said Edo PDP would work against the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024 election, if their grievances were not addressed.
    The zonal chairman spoke yesterday at Edo Central Senatorial District’s PDP leaders/stakeholders meeting of Legacy Coalition at Irrua, Esan Central Local Government.
    The meeting was also attended by the impeached Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu; two-time representative of Oredo Federal Constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama; a former governorship aspirant in PDP and many top politicians.

  • Edo 2024: Fresh trouble for PDP as Orbih rejects Ighodalo, campaign role

    Edo 2024: Fresh trouble for PDP as Orbih rejects Ighodalo, campaign role

    • Legacy Coalition vows to work for candidate who’ll represent the people

    Peoples Democratic Party National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih yesterday gave the party a snub ahead of the September 21 governorship election with his rejection of an appointment as a member of the governorship campaign council.

    Orbih, leader of the anti-Obaseki’s Legacy Coalition in the party,  had been named a member of the  campaign council last week, apparently in a bid by the party  to carry along  all interest groups in the run up to the polls.

    He said yesterday that that no one consulted him before his name was announced as a member of the council.

    “Nobody told me of any governorship campaign council membership in Edo PDP. I am not aware of it,” he said.

    “Some persons, who saw my name on the list, called me. I have not seen the list, and I am not aware of it. I am not party to the composition of the campaign council.”

    Read Also; I survived fighting Boko-Haram, Niger Delta militants, IPOB – Anambra CP

    Orbih, an ally of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, is not on good terms with Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Their disagreement stemmed from Obaseki’s takeover of the PDP structure in the state following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020.

    Some other members of the PDP in the state are not impressed with what they term as Obaseki’s imposition of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the party’s flag bearer in the governorship election.

    Besides Obaseki, Edo PDP’s governorship campaign council’s advisory committee also has as members the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and National Leader of the party, Chief Tom Ikimi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    Other members include a former Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Odion Ugbesia; ex-representative of Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Daisy Danjuma; a former Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Yisa Braimoh; and a former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Tunde Akogun.

    Edo PDP’s Organising Secretary, Tony Anenih Jnr., described the campaign council members as versatile politicians who were carefully chosen to make election of the candidate a reality.

    Apart from the advisory committee, the campaign council also has a management committee; a state campaign council made up of 200 eminent members of the PDP; the women wing to be headed by the Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, and the youth wing to be led by the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor.

    Legacy Coalition pledges support for  candidate  who’ll  represent the people

    Orbih yesterday hosted a meeting of Legacy Coalition stakeholders at his Ogbona country-home in Etsako Central Local Government Area.

    He told the gathering that Obaseki and Ighodalo lack what it takes to lead the state successfully.

    He said the coalition would therefore throw its weight behind a candidate who would represent the good people of the state during the September election.

    He said: “I am not part and parcel of the PDP campaign council. In 2020, we came out in Edo North Senatorial District and supported the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki. I, Chief Dan Orbih, worked with Governor Obaseki to deliver him.

    “People asked me questions on where we are today and what is the way forward? I can boldly tell you the issue before us is what is the way forward? Let me tell you that all is not well with Edo State PDP.

    “As we prepare and move forward for the upcoming governorship election, we will do all we can to let Edo people know that this election is about Edo and the future of Edo.

    “Let me send a powerful message to PDP: we, the Edo PDP, can tell you that it is not well with Edo PDP.

    “I hereby denounce my membership as a member of Edo PDP governorship campaign council. Obaseki and his anointed governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are not the way forward for Edo State.”

    Orbih also described the recent impeachment of Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu as political.

    He said the coalition was behind Shaibu.

    “The predicament of Shaibu is that some persons said he had no right to contest the governorship election in 2024,” he said.

    Shaibu, who was at the meeting, said Edo people would not vote for Ighodalo because “Edo State needs a home-grown person.”

    He said: “I want to assure you that we are in support of Chief Dan Orbih and his legacy group.

    “We will not support Asue Ighodalo but wait for the direction of the PDP legacy group on who to vote for.”

    A former Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, while also speaking, stated that PDP under the leadership of Obaseki could not manage the success of the victory in 2020.

    He noted that instead of Edo governor to consolidate on the victory recorded in the 2020 governorship election, by rewarding those that worked for his re-election, he opted for other persons within the PDP, who never worked for the party.

    The former speaker pledged to work with the Orbih-led PDP coalition in the forthcoming Edo governorship election, while assuring that he and his supporters in Akoko-Edo LGA in Edo North Senatorial District, were on the same page with the Orbih’s legacy coalition.

    Adjoto said: “Chief Dan Orbih, we have seen what you saw, and we are here to queue behind you. Anywhere you go, we will go. We are waiting for your instructions.”

    The meeting also had in attendance the leaders of PDP’s legacy coalition in Edo North senatorial district, including Jude Imagwe, Damian Lawani and Fred Attah, among other top politicians.

  • PDP accuses Obaseki of defrauding farmers in Edo

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of using the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers Scheme to defraud farmers in the State.

    It alleged Governor Obaseki asked farmers to pay the sum of N2000 into a Sterling Bank account as one of the criteria to benefit from the scheme.

    The PDP said Obaseki ended up ripping the farmers of billions of naira while the farmers did not get any loan.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who stated this at a campaign rally of the party in Abudu, headquarters of Orhionmwon local government area  urged Obaseki to fulfill the promise to the farmers or refund their money.

    Chief Orbih, who received defectors from the All Progressives Congress, told the people of Abudu to vote for all candidates of the PDP for a better Nigeria.

    Read Also: PDP members join APC in Akwa Ibom

    Orbih said the re-election of Senator Matthew Urhoghide would give Edo South a ranking senator status and possibility of a principal officer in the senate.

    He said the manifesto of the APC has dashed the hopes of Nigerians.

    Senator Urhoghide who reeled out his achievements informed the people that his move to turn the College of Education located at Abudu into a Federal University of Education has scaled through second reading.

    Urhoghide said the election is battle between the PDP and visible underdevelopment, hunger and suffering currently being experienced in the country.

    He urged the people to re-elect him so he could add to to the existing constituency projects he attracted to the locality.

  • 2019: Edo PDP tasks leaders on ward campaigns

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has told its leaders to commence campaigns at various wards and local government areas in the state.
    It said the 2019 election is not about the PDP or the APC but about Nigerians calling for a change so that they could have the dividends of democracy.
    State Chairman of the PDP,  Chief Dan Orbih stated this at the flagging off campaign rally at Afuze, Owan East Local government.
    Orbih said the APC has failed to deliver on the campaign promises made to Edo people and Nigerians.

    Read Also: PDP presents Ogun governorship flag to Adebutu

    He urged the people to campaign for the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
    According to him,  “Let us take seriously the challenge before us,  so that,  as we prepare for the elections,  we must defend  the interest of the people which is the primary obligation of the PDP.
    “It is not only where you vote but where results will be collated and be ready to defend your votes. I here by declare the campaign flagg-off”
    ” It is now for the PDP leaders to take the  campaigns from local government to wards by ward, units by units because we need total grassroots mobilization  to ensure victory for our party,” Orbih said.
    About 2500 members of the APC defected to the PDP at the campaign.

  • PDP receives APC defectors at flag-off campaign

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State on Monday received defectors from other political parties at the flag-off of its political campaigns for next year’s general election.

    Over 2000 members of the All Progressives Congress and other political parties joined the PDP in Edo North Senatorial District.

    The defectors were received State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.

    Chief Orbih said the campaign flag off was to offer prayers to solicit God’s guidance and mercy for next year’s election.

    According to Orbih, “We are here to commit next year general elections into the hands of Almighty God because we have been informed that the APC has finalized all dubious arrangements to rig the elections.

    Read Also: Fresh crisis in Southwest PDP over Kashamu

    “We are here to Join our faith together and call on God to destroy every evil plan of APC to rig the elections. Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of APC in the last three and half years and we are here to call on God to neutralise every of their plan to remain in power beyond May 2019.

    “We can no longer continued to be held hostage in our country by insecurity, we can not continue to remain in darkness, we cannot continue to remain in country where no single hospital is working while the president travel to Europe now and then to receive medical treatment while the hospital he came to commission in Benin City remain without doctors and equipment.

    “The APC led Federal government has borrowed so much that if they remain in power beyond 2019 every Nigerian will be slave to the Eastern world, including China and Korean as a result of the external borrowing being carried out by the Buhari led administration”.

  • APC chieftain defects to PDP in Edo

    Chief David Olukoga, an aide to former Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, and Chairman, Edo State Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA), on Wednesday, formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Olukoga led several of his supporters, majority of who were youths, to the PDP Secretariat.

    They were received by Chief Dan Orbih, the party’s chairman as well as national executive members of the party.

    Addressing the gathering at the occasion, Olukoga said that he decided to return to the PDP after due consultation with his supporters.

    He also said that marginalisation as well as ethnic, regional and religious politics and impunity in the APC was a major reason for his leaving the party.

    “I return to the PDP with a clear conscience, because I believe the party has learnt from its past mistakes and now well repositioned and forward looking,’’ he said.

    He called on all Nigerians to join hands with the PDP and rescue the state in particular and the nation at large from maladministration of the ruling party.

    Read Also: Osun: Lasun, Omisore join forces with APC to fight PDP

    Earlier, Orbih said that he was happy to address the thousands of youths, who have decided to leave the APC for the PDP.

    He said that he was convinced that fundamental issues affecting the state were responsible for their defection.

    He said some of the issues include failed promises of job creation for 200,000 persons annually, as well as the failed N30 billion Water Storm project.

    The chairman said that the failed Water Storm project was also responsible for the disaster being experienced and flooding in some parts of the state capital.

    He, therefore, appealed to NEMA as well as the state government to urgently provide relief materials to flood victims within the state capital and environs.

    Orbih urged the state government to wake up and address the problems in the state as there was need for the government to take concrete action against problems affecting the state.

  • Obaseki attracting foreign investment to Edo – Osagie

    … says he hopes Orbih will be a free man to benefit from projects

     

    The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, has said that the state is on the march towards more prosperity with the recent investment deals signed with Chinese investors in Beijing, China.

    Osagie noted that while the deals further validate the commitment of Obaseki’s administration to industrialise the state, he explained that “on the flip side, the deals in China have dealt a final blow to the lies and falsehood peddled over time, by members of the dying Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

    The governor’s aide said: “After several rounds of engagements with Chinese investors, Edo people received the heart-warming news few days ago, of the successful signing of the investment agreements on all three big ticket investments; the Benin Industrial Park, Benin River Port in Gelegele and the modular refinery projects which were successfully signed in Beijing, China, on the sidelines of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).”

    He added that since the signing of the final investment agreement with the Chinese investors, “Governor Godwin Obaseki, senior officials in his administration and well-meaning Edo people in their millions, residents and friends of the state, have been basking in the euphoria of the prospect of a state on its way to more prosperity.

    “Unfortunately, some elements within the dying Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have a brush with the law for alleged fraud, may be behind bars when these projects come on stream.”

    Read Also: Obaseki urges behavourial change in anti-corruption fight

    According to Osagie, “At various social gatherings of Edo progressives in the state and in the diaspora, the investment agreements with the Chinese companies have dominated discussions.

    “While torrents of goodwill messages and phone calls are being exchanged across the world by people who believe in our dear state and the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, many are toasting to what experts describe as an action that will turn Edo State from a landlocked state to one of Nigeria’s gateways to the international market.”

    He explained that “The combined impact of an industrial park, a seaport and a refinery will undo the drag in our socio-economic development, which has held us down for decades.”

    “While we await the congratulatory message of the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the dying Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, on this great feat that will benefit all Edo people, we urge him to salute the Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s triumph in an area – industrialization – where the dying Edo PDP failed abysmally,” he said.

    He assured that “The industrialization of Edo State is a task that the Obaseki administration is committed to and we are reclaiming all the opportunities we missed under the self-serving PDP administration in Edo State.”

    Osagie emphasized that “Never again will Edo people allow charlatans like Dan Orbih, Chris Nehikhare and their co-travellers access to power and reverse our progress.”

    On the fraud allegation case against Orbih, Osagie said: “I wish Chief Dan Orbih a great day in court soon, as he faces justice over his N700 million fraud case and I hope he will be a free man to enjoy the benefits of an industrialized Edo State.”

  • PDP accuses Buhari of making June 12 a Yoruba affair

    The People’s Democratic Party in Edo State has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of making June 12 a Yoruba affair.

    It said the essence of June 12 should reflect on all those who fought for the survival of democracy in the country instead of making it a Yoruba affair.

    State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke while addressing newsmen in Benin City said some persons who fought for the actualization of democracy were not short listed in the recent list of those to be honoured.

    “Today, people are talking of June 12 and nobody is talking about Prof. Omo Omoruyi. This is to me, an attempt by some group of politicians who want to make June 12 a Yoruba affair.

    Read Also: Buhari apologises over June 12 poll annulment

    “What is good for those who fought for June 12 is good for all. You do not need to come from certain section of the country to be recognized for your nationalistic contributions towards our democratic government.

    “So, June 12 is a watershed in the politics of Nigeria where people from all tribes supported that the military must be ease out of power.

    “So, the attempt to tribalize, politicize it by the federal government is quite unfortunate”, he said.

  • 2019: Edo PDP raises mobilization committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has raised a 10-member committee to help raise his membership from the grassroot ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    It said the committee headed by Pastor Emmanuel Ojo Agge is to garner support for the PDP and woo many Edo people into the party.

    The PDP chairman in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, said members of the committee were carefully selected because of their ability to win new members into the party.

    Orbih urged the committee members to work with existing structures of the party across the state.

    He also tasked the committee to boost the party’s membership across the state.

    He said: “We have confidence that the committee will achieve results. This assignment is a new beginning in our pragmatic approach to winning new members into the PDP.

    “This committee is made up of people with desire to ensure change of governance in the country.”

    The party’s governorship candidate in the 2016 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, hailed Orbih for commencing preparation for next year’s election.