By Seyi Babalola
The Edo PDP Legacy Group. the Party’s major block in the state, says it would not cast its votes on September 21, 2024, for Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
Ighodalo is the party’s governorship candidate that was anointed by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Disclosing this at the weekend at his country home at Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, the National Vice Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, said the block took the position because, according to him, all was not well with Edo PDP being led by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his chosen candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Orbih said: “Let me send a powerful message to PDP, we the Edo PDP are saying that all is not well with Edo PDP”.
Orbih said the ‘current PDP led by Gov. Godwin Obaseki and his chosen candidate Asue Ighodalo cannot lead Edo’, adding that the PDP legacy group will vote for a candidate who would represent the best interest of the good people of the state.
According to Orbih, members of the PDP legacy group are the foundation of PDP, their primary interest is anchored on unity, fairness, justice and equity saying that since Obaseki came into the party in 2020 he abandoned the group who worked and voted for his re-election.
“I am not part and parcel of PDP campaign council
“In 2020 we came out in Edo North supporting the election and re-election of Gov Godwin Obaseki.
“I Chief Dan Orbih worked with Gov Obaseki to deliver him.
“People ask me the question where are we today, what is the way forward?
“Let me tell you all is not well with Edo State PDP.
” As we prepare and move forward for the up coming election we will do all we can to let Edo people know that this election is about Edo and the future of our people.
“Let me send a powerful message to PDP, we the Edo PDP are saying that all is not well with Edo PDP.*
” I hereby denounce and reject my membership of PDP Edo campaign council.
“Obaseki and his chosen candidate must tell us what they are up to.
The PDP vice chairman South South expressed displeasure over the removal of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu describing it as purely political.
Orbih said that the legacy PDP group is solidly behind the ex-deputy governor.
“The quest to remove Philip Shaibu as deputy governor is political.
“The present predicament of Philip Shaibu is that some persons are saying you have no right to contest the election.
“We are here today to let the good people of Edo North know that we support you, appreciate you and in the matter between you and Edo State government we stand by you.
“I am aware and convinced Philip Shaibu have taken his case to Court to determine whether the governor was right or wrong.
“As for the PDP legacy group we are proud of Philip Shaibu,” Orbih said.
Also speaking, the former speaker of Edo State House if Assembly Hon. Kabiru Adjoto said PDP under the leadership of Godwin Obaseki could not manage the success of the victory in 2020.
Adjoto said that instead of Obaseki to consolidate on the victory recorded in 2020 election by rewarding those that worked for his re-election, he opted for other person’s outside the party who never worked for the party.
Adjoto, however pledged to to work with the Dan Orbih PDP in the forth coming Edo election, adding that he and his supporters in Akoko Edo are on the same page with the Orbih’s legacy group.
“Chief Dan Orbih we have seen what you saw and we are here to queue behind you anywhere you go we go.
“We are waiting for your instruction,” Adjoto said
The Ex-Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu said he is with the Dan Orbih PDP legacy group.
Shaibu said Edo people cannot vote for a candidate who does not know the problem and challenges faced by the Edo people.
We will not vote for an outsider in Edo State.
Edo State need an home grown person, I want to assure you that we are in support of Chief Dan Orbih legacy group.
“We will not support Asue Ighodalo, but wait for the direction of the PDP legacy group on who to vote for,” Shaibu said.
The meeting had in attendance Leaders of PDP Edo North legacy, Chief Hilary Otsu, Barrister Adelaja Okuns, Richard Ehimegba, chief Osikhena, Eng. Fred Attah, Hon Jega, Jude Imagwe, Damian Lawani, Akhaba, Fred Attah and Hon Ogbeide Ihama a former member of the federal House of Representative the and PDP legacy group Edo South.
