Edo PDP expels Shaibu, Orbih over anti-party activities

The leadership of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled former deputy governor Philip Shaibu from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Also expelled was the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih.

This was contained in a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Ogie Vasco, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Vasco noted that a former House of Representatives member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency, Omorgie Ihama, was also expelled for anti-party activities.

Vasco said the decision was taken at a meeting attended by nine members of the State Working Committee (SWC) at the PDP secretariat in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday.

He stated: “The SWC has extensively deliberated on the issue and resolved to expel, with immediate effect, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-South.

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“It also decided to expel Phillip Shaibu and upheld the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.”

Reacting, Orbih told newsmen that the SWC has no powers to suspend a member of the National Working Committee or expel anybody without following the provision of the party’s constitution.

He said: “When a group of persons sits down to make pronouncements that are unconstitutional, it only shows that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party.

“That is all I have to say about that and nothing more.”

Shaibu recently announced his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State.

The immediate past deputy governor vied for the governorship election on the platform of the PDP but lost to the former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Asue Ighodalo.

Shaibu, after the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP, said the party would not win the governorship election in the state if he was not recognised as the candidate of the party.

He was later impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The Star