The impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, was expelled by the People Democratic Party’s Edo State Working Committee on Wednesday due to purported anti-party conduct.
In addition, the PDP SWC confirmed Ward 2, Oredo Local Government’s expulsion of Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives, and removed Dan Orbih, the vice chairman of the South-South.
At the PDP SWC meeting in Benin on Wednesday, the choices were made. Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Edo PDP, was present at the meeting, along with seven other SWC members, one of whom participated virtually: Tony Anenih, Jr.
The three were kicked out of the PDP, according to Aziegbemi, who also noted that they had demonstrated that they were no longer members of the party.
He added that the party was well-positioned to win the polls and that their expulsion would not have an impact on the party’s performance in the state’s governorship race on September 21.
The Edo PDP chairman said, “Dan Orbih was expelled because he has been asking members of the PDP to join the opposition party. He also took an appointment as the governing council member of a third-tier institution without recourse to the party before accepting the appointment.
“Shaibu donated about 15 vehicles to the All Progressives Congress and has also been abusive and disrespectful to the leaders of the party in the state. Someone who does these things cannot be termed a true party man.
“Also, Ogbeide-Ihama donated his building on Sakponba Road to the APC for campaign purposes. The building currently bears the billboard of the APC candidate and his running mate.
“The party is working with other stakeholders to ensure that the party wins the election in September.”
Days after Shaibu publicly claimed he would be assisting the APC in winning the September 21 governorship race, the SWC made its judgement. Shaibu also called PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo an outsider and a victim of godfatherism.
Leading the Edo PDP Legacy Group by himself, Orbih made a commitment to prevent Governor Godwin Obaseki from meddling in or selecting a replacement.
The expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama by the SWC, however, sparked an outcry as the PDP leadership in the Oredo Local Government Area of the state questioned the ex-federal lawmaker’s dismissal.
They pronounced the suspension to be void and advised the organisation responsible for the act to avoid creating any uncertainty within the local government.
