Edo PDP’s Crisis Worsens As Wike’s Strong Ally Leads Other Top Politicians To Stop Obaseki’s Anointed Candidate
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces an escalated crisis as a legacy coalition, led by the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-south), Dan Orbih, emerged on Wednesday.
Orbih is a strong ally of former Rivers State Governor and Minister of theFederal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike who has not been in good terms with Obaseki. Other notable members of the legacy coalition le by Orbih include Charles Idahosa, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, former members of the House of Representatives from Edo – Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Sergius Ogun, former Edo Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Esosa Amadasun, ex-Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly Frank Okiye, and former Commissioner Orobosa Omo-Ojo.
Additionally, Pascal Ugbmohe, a senatorial candidate of PDP in Edo North, and several former chairmen of local government councils are part of the coalition.
During a meeting at his residence, Dan Orbih cautioned Governor Godwin Obaseki against imposing a successor, emphasizing that the governor would not have his way in the run-up to the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
Orbih stated, “The new group, Legacy Coalition, is made up of members of PDP before Obaseki joined us on June 19, 2020, some founding members of the party who earlier left, and politicians who came into PDP with Obaseki from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He further highlighted the challenges within Edo PDP and stressed the need for a governor who understands the state’s challenges. Orbih affirmed, “One of the reasons I am no longer as frequent as I used to be in Benin City is that each time I look at what we are facing today, I bleed in my heart.”
Charles Idahosa called for effective communication with the national leadership and expressed dissatisfaction with the face-off between Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu. Idahosa criticized PDP leaders in Edo who refrained from condemning Obaseki’s dictatorial tendencies.
