The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing crisis within the Edo State chapter of the party.
The internal discord began following the governorship primary election on February 22, 2024, which saw Asue Ighodalo emerge as the governorship candidate.
Displeased party members subsequently pursued legal action against the PDP, leading Justice Inyang Ekwo to invalidate the primary last week due to the exclusion of 378 delegates in the case FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024. The PDP has since appealed this judgment.
In response to the turmoil, the party’s National Working Committee suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih, accusing him of undermining the party’s efforts in Edo State. Orbih is reported to be a close associate of Wike.
A member of the party’s NWC, speaking anonymously, accused Wike of orchestrating the party’s challenges in Edo State. The source claimed that Orbih and former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who are not acting independently, are collaborating with Wike. The FCT Minister is allegedly trying to undermine Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki and facilitate the All Progressives Congress (APC) takeover.
The source further stated, “The PDP leadership is aware that Wike is funding and fueling all the crises within the party in Edo State, similar to the situation in Rivers State. It is time for the party to take decisive action and suspend Wike as well.”
