The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for the party’s Edo State chapter issue.
Since the governorship primary election on February 22, 2024, when Asue Ighodalo was elected governor, the Edo PDP has been plagued by internal strife.
Dissatisfied party members later filed legal action against the party.
Last Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo declared the primary in the case FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 illegal because 378 delegates were excluded.
On Wednesday, the PDP filed an appeal against the judgement.
As a result, the PDP National Working Committee has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, for allegedly obstructing the party’s operations in Edo State.
Orbih is a supporter of the former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
A member of the party’s NWC, who did not want his name published because he was not permitted to speak on the subject, accused Wike of orchestrating the party’s ordeal in Edo State.
The source stated, “We are deeply concerned, and the party leadership shares this concern, that some members are attempting to sabotage the party’s efforts in Edo State.
“Orbih and the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, are not acting alone. They are working in alliance with Nyesom Wike. The FCT Minister is doing everything possible to undermine the Governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, and pave the way for the APC to take control.
“Similar to the situation in Rivers State, the PDP leadership is aware that Wike is the one funding and fueling all the crises within the party in Edo State. It is high time the party took a firm stand on this issue and suspended Wike as well.”
In an interview with newsmen, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor confirmed that the party leadership is undeterred and committed to guaranteeing the success of the PDP’s candidate.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
