Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its National Vice Chairman, South-South, Mr Dan Orbih for anti-party activity.
The party in a statement by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said Orbih’s activities have been affecting its campaign to retain the state in the governorship election to be held later in the year.
Orbih is a member of the Legacy Group that formed the Edo State Chapter of the PDP and has been at loggerheads with the state governor, Godwin Obaseki for the choice of the party’s candidate for the governorship election.
The PDP had set up a committee headed by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed to reconcile the various groups in Edo State following the crisis the governorship primary caused.
However, the committee failed to reconcile the groups and decided to suspend Orbih on Wednesday after its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
The statement said the party “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.”
The statement further 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 pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Party,” the party said.
It announced that the “NWC forthwith suspends Chief Dan Orbih from participating in all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of 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.”
It charged “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.”