Chief Dan Orbih’s recent contribution of a party secretariat was rejected by the Peoples Democratic Party’s Caretaker Committee in Edo State, which is headed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.
The committee described it as a last-ditch effort to divert attention and undermine the party.
On Wednesday, Orbih warned the Aziegbemi-led caretaker committee to cease posing as the state’s party leaders while announcing the donation of a new party secretariat in Benin City. He charged that the committee was conspiring to dismantle the PDP in Edo with former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
However, Aziegbemi responded on Thursday by issuing a strongly worded statement claiming that Orbih was no longer a PDP member and, as a result, did not have the right to make any donations on the party’s behalf.
The caretaker committee said, “We are compelled to respond to the Nollywood-style theatrics orchestrated on Wednesday by Chief Dan Orbih, only because of the numerous calls and inquiries we have received from concerned party members, the media, and the good people of Edo State.”
“Let it be made abundantly clear that Chief Dan Orbih is no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. He lacks the authority and standing to rent, donate, or assign any property to the Edo PDP.”
Aziegbemi further asserted that the putative secretariat that Orbih had provided was not affiliated with the PDP but rather with the All Progressives Congress, whom he said Orbih was covertly working for.
“The so-called secretariat he claimed to have donated is a facade. It belongs to the party he now openly serves—the APC-led government in Edo State—where he is nothing more than a political employee,” the statement added.
The caretaker committee claims that on March 9, 2025, Orbih’s term as the PDP South-South Zonal Chairman came to an official end.
The committee reported that party matters in the area are now under the jurisdiction of a new zonal leadership led by Chief Emma Ogidi.
Describing Orbih’s actions as “a desperate attempt to distract, disrupt, and destabilise the Edo PDP,” Aziegbemi beckon on party members to remain focused and undeterred.
“We urge PDP members to disregard the antics of Dan Orbih and not be distracted. Reclaiming our mandate remains our focus. The Edo PDP Caretaker Committee remains united, focused, and fully in charge of the party’s affairs,” the committee stated.
