Following the crisis in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Legacy Group has challenged the reconciliation talks said to be ongoing in the state, saying it was not involved.
The Legacy Group is being led by the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dan Orbih.
Leading up to the PDP governorship primary election on February 22 and following the victory of Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate, supported by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, internal conflict had plagued the state chapter of the party.
In response, the PDP appointed the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emmanuel Enoidem, to head an 11-member committee tasked to reconcile the disgruntled members.
The committee was unable to foster reconciliation, with the latest development being the ouster of the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who contested against Ighodalo, as he was impeached by the lawmakers.
The Edo PDP, thereafter, split into factions, a group led by Orbih and another by Obaseki, with members opposing and campaigning against Ighodalo ahead of the governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.
In the past two weeks, certain PDP members had switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress in the state, while others expressed intentions to oppose the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election.
Additionally, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, has urged the National Working Committee to suspend Orbih, citing alleged anti-party activities.
Responding to the development, the PDP released a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, last week, urging the people of Edo State to continue showing support and solidarity for the party and its governorship candidate, Ighodalo.
Following the statement, supporters of the Obaseki faction claimed to have engaged in discussions with the Orbih-led Legacy Group in a bid to resolve internal conflicts among PDP members in Edo State.
Responding to the claim, Orbih refuted the alleged meeting, labelling it as misinformation.
The PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, questioned whether reconciliation could occur without the involvement of his group, the Legacy Group.
He stated, “Watching as the PDP council celebrated the falsehood of a non-existent settlement, can one person settle in the absence of the second person?
“I was not consulted. Legacy Group is not a party to this. This is a big lie from the pit of hell. Whoever orchestrated this propaganda is from the woods. So, Dan Orbih is important like this and they have been insulting me daily?”
When reached for comment, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader and a staunch supporter of Governor Obaseki, Timothy Osadolor, remarked that Orbih found himself at a crossroads and encouraged him to step down from his position.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Osadolor stated that Orbih could not undermine Ighodalo’s chances in the election.
He stated, “Dan Orbih finds himself at a crossroads, having garnered considerable attention from members of the Legacy Group. He has led some into politically damaging conflicts, not only with the governor but also with the state.
“During the last NWC meeting, Orbih appealed against sanctions, citing past grievances and pledging future support for the party’s governorship candidate. While he’s entitled to his decisions, he must remember that holding a party leadership position entails loyalty to the party. I urge him to consider resigning honourably.
“Orbih cannot undermine the PDP’s candidate in Edo. He has never successfully fielded a councillor in his ward through fair elections, let alone jeopardise the PDP’s chances in Edo. Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, will emerge victorious.”
Attempts to obtain a response from the PDP NWC regarding the development were unsuccessful, as Ologunagba did not answer calls or respond to messages sent to him.
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