By DADA AYOKHAI
Chief Dan Orbih, a factional leader of the Edo PDP, reignited the rivalry between himself and former governor Godwin Obaseki by publicly criticizing Obaseki’s administration, describing it as “catastrophic.”
Orbih, the former chairman of the Edo PDP, made these remarks at an event where he unveiled a new PDP secretariat that he donated to the party.
The relationship between Chief Orbih and former Governor Obaseki has been tumultuous. As a result of their strained relationship, Orbih, the leader of the Legacy group, and his followers left the PDP. The Legacy group actively opposed the PDP during the Edo 2024 governorship election.
During the unveiling of the new party secretariat, Chief Orbih took the opportunity to attack his political adversaries, particularly targeting former Gov Obaseki, with whom he has had a long-standing conflict over control of the party structure in Edo State.
Orbih accused Obaseki and his associates of undermining the PDP in Edo and stated that, in due time, Obaseki would have to account for how he managed state resources during his tenure.
Additionally, he praised Gov Okpehbolo, calling him a man of humility and honour, and noted that he is making progress in his vision to lead the state towards greatness.
He said it is abnormal for the PDP in Edo State to be homeless under his watch, asserting further that the new PDP leadership in the state requires the collective support of all.
However, the inconsistency in Chief Orbih’s statements stems from the perception that he is acting as a double agent, claiming allegiance to the PDP while simultaneously serving the opposing APC at both the state and federal levels.
He presently holds two significant positions: chairman of the Ambrose Alli University Governing Council and chairman of the federally-owned Federal College of Education.
Some influential figures within the Edo PDP suspect that he is an APC mole, believing his primary objective is to destabilize the party from within.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has denounced the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party, Dan Orbih, saying: “Dan Orbih is no longer a member of the PDP.”
The PDP, in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, and made available to newsmen in Benin, noted that Orbih’s tenure as the South-South Zonal Chairman of the PDP officially ended on March 9, 2025.
Aziegbemi said that Orbih’s conduct has further confirmed that he belongs to the party he now openly serves, the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Edo State, describing the former Edo State PDP Chairman as a political employee.
The statement reads: “We are compelled to respond to the Nollywood-style theatrics orchestrated yesterday by 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, Orbih is no longer a member of the PDP. He lacks the authority and standing to rent, donate, or assign any property to the Edo PDP. The so-called secretariat he claims to have donated is a facade—it belongs to the party he now openly serves, the APC government in Edo State, where he is nothing more than a political employee”
