Edo PDP Group Suspends Ikimi, Oghiadohme, Others over Alleged Anti-party Activities

Ahead of the 2020 governorship election in Edo State, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state under the aegis of PDP Integrity Group said it has suspended former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadohme; former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended, according to the group, were Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Yisa Braimoh, Senator Victor Oyofo and the former leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tunde Akogun.

The decision to suspend the party chieftains was contained in a communique signed by former Chairman, Nigeria Football  Association (NFA), Emperor Jarret Tenebe, and former two-time Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Dan Asekhema, after a stakeholders’ meeting with PDP leaders across the 18 local government areas of the state in attendance at the weekend.

The communique also passed a vote of  confidence on Chief Dan Orbih-led PDP in the state, adding that the Exco and the ones in the 18 LGAs will be given six months extension to enable them conduct the governorship primaries.

"We the Edo State PDP integrity Group also announced the adoption of former Governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, as the leader of our party in the state," it stated.

The communique further explained that "Oghiadomhe was seen flying in a helicopter with the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, last weekend to attend a convocation ceremony at the Edo University in Iyamho.

"He (Oghiadomhe) even displayed the sign 4+4, endorsing Obaseki when we have our own PDP aspirants. Ikimi and others have been holding clandestine meetings with Obaseki, where we learnt reliably that the governor was asked to bring N6bilion so he can join PDP and take the ticket.

"We are also aware that they have been meeting with the state Chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, with a view to perfecting this plan. We believe that as a party, we must instill discipline because it is because of the cash-and-carry politics, some people played in the past that led to the problem of PDP in the state.

"As we move towards the 2020 governorship election, we urge our aspirants to disregard the activities of greedy politicians and continue their campaigns. We will fight indiscipline in the PDP no matter whose ox is gored.”

But in a swift reaction, the PDP spokesman in the state, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, disowned the integrity group, describing them as faceless and not know to the party.

Nehikhare, while saying that whatever statement that has been released or issued by the group should be disregarded, also frowned at the audacity displayed by the group by even claiming they have suspended "respected leaders of our party, as they lack such powers."

The state PDP image-maker in a statement made available to journalists in Benin-city said: "Their attempt to offer an extension to the tenure of Chief Dan Orbih is not only laughable, but infantile. Orbih has not requested for any extension. He has said he was going on the expiration of his tenure in March 2020. That is the position of the party! Therefore, their behaviour is mischievous and condemnable.

"They are not members of any organ of our party, and as such, cannot issue statements on behalf of the PDP. We will not hesitate to discipline any party member that submits himself to be used as a political tool in the hands of our political opponents."