The National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South zone, Chief Dan Orbih, has disclosed that the legacy group he leads will produce the guber candidate of the party come 2024.
Going by the INEC timetable, the Guber election in Edo State will be held in February 2023.
Chief Orbih, a former state chairman of the party, disclosed this on Sunday after he held a crucial stakeholder meeting with leaders of the legacy group who were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state
The endless internal squabbles between the Dan Orbih faction and the Obaseki/Shuaib faction cost the Edo State chapter of the PDP heavily during the last general elections
It went down as the worst performance in the history of the party since 1999, with accusations and counter-accusations of a possible sell-out by some party bigwigs.
The PDP came a distant third, losing its premium position to both the Labour Party,LP and the opposition All.progrressive Congress APC in what political analysts described as the party’s worst performance in the presidential and national assembly elections.
Referring to the huge political clout the group now commands in the state, Chief Orbih said they have since evolved into a coalition, stating further that the coalition has welcomed returnees and new members some of those who have joined to swell its ranks
Below is the extract from his speech to members who attended the meeting:
“Good afternoon, very esteemed leaders and members of our great Party. I am extremely delighted to welcome you to this meeting.
“Election took place yesterday in the South-East in IMO, North-Central in Kogi state and South-South Bayelsa. I congratulate you in advance for our victory in Bayelsa South-South Zone. This has shown that with proper planning, the party can win elections. I joined the campaign in Bayelsa and spent a few days there. Thank God our efforts were not in vain.
“Next is Edo Governorship election loading. If PDP must retain and win the governorship election, this powerful body now known as ‘Legacy Coalition’ must produce the candidate.
The group is made up of those who stood and laboured for the Party before Governor Obaseki joined us, and those who stood by the Governor when he was thrown out of APC, they followed him to PDP but sidelined after his re-election. These noble men and women of honour have joined us in our collective political objective of saving Party and winning the next gubernatorial election. Present here are former leaders of APC who came with the governor, including APC former state Woman leader; Dr Mrs Amadasun, former elected council chairmen, and many others who could not make it to this meeting.
“We must produce a candidate that will address the challenges of our state. One who will identify with the people and make Edo State great again.
“The legacy coalition is built on a very strong and solid foundation of love and unity of purpose where efforts and contributions of our members are recognised and honoured. That is why today, one of the prominent leaders that came back to the Party with the governor, Hon. Charles Idahosa has been nominated as BOT member representing South-South.
Leaders of the Edo PDP Legacy Coalition group at a meeting with their leader, Chief Dan Orbih in Benin City, November 12, 2023.
Now is the time to go back to our respective LGAs to work. According to the INEC timetable, the process will start February 2024. We must support and throw up delegates that cannot be compromised. Delegates that will support and vote legacy coalition candidate. A known member of the Party. A willing candidate who will not tell us he has been begged to contest, a Man who knows the problems of the state, not a visitor or stranger to us, a man who can tell us a story of what he has done for Edo State people with his past elevation… Not one who will constantly ask people to introduce themselves.
“I have heard stories of people boasting that they are prepared to spend money to compromise the process of nominating our candidate.
“By the grace of God and your support, the Edo State PDP ticket is not for sale. It is not for the highest bidder. On this we stand. God bless PDP, God bless Edo state, God bless Nigeria.”
Members and leaders of the now ‘Legacy Coalition’ who attended the meeting were very elated and promised they will go back to their respective wards to canvass an all inclusive effort to see that the resolve from the meeting is percolated down to the grassroots. There are plans to hold several other meetings before the Febuary, 2024 primary.
