The expulsion of a former member of the House of Representatives Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, is raising dust as the party’s exco in his Oredo Local Government Area has rejected the lawmaker’s expulsion.
The chairman of the PDP in the local government, Oduwa Igbinosun, after an emergency meeting in Benin on Wednesday, declared the suspension null and void and urged the group behind the act not to cause confusion in the local government.
The chairman said the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama was by a faceless group led by one Lawrence Aguebor, adding that Aguebor was an ex-official of the ward, and lacked the authority to suspend or expel anyone.
Earlier, the party had announced the suspension of former deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, the South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih and Ogbeide-Ihama for alleged anti-party activities.
While the state working committee expelled Shuaibu, and Orbih, Ogbeide-Ihama was expelled by Ward 2, Oredo Local Government of the party.
The decisions were taken on Wednesday at the PDP SWC meeting in Benin attended by the Chairman of the state PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, and seven other members of the SWC, including Tony Anenih Jr., who joined the meeting virtually.
Aziegbemi said that the trio had shown that they were no longer in the party and there was no need to keep them in the PDP, adding that their expulsion would not affect the party in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The PDP accused Orbih of wooing members of the PDP to the opposition party, adding that “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 was also accused of donating about 15 vehicles to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and also being abusive and disrespectful to the leaders of the party in the state, and could, therefore, no longer 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,” he added.
The chairman of PDP in the ward, Prince Elemah said he didn’t sign any document against the Rep, adding, “Ogbeide-Ihama remains our leader and a bona fide member.”
