The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the recent expulsion of former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. The APC described the expulsion as a sign of panic within the PDP and extended an invitation for Shaibu to return to the APC.
On Wednesday, the PDP announced Shaibu’s expulsion, accusing him of supporting the APC ahead of the upcoming September 21 governorship election and undermining the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The party also expelled the PDP South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, and upheld the expulsion of former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of Publicity of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, asserted that Shaibu’s expulsion demonstrated the PDP’s anxiety as the election approached. He emphasized that Shaibu would be welcomed into the APC if he chose to rejoin.
The PDP’s Edo State Working Committee (SWC) made the expulsion decisions during a meeting in Benin. Present at the meeting were Edo PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi and seven other SWC members, including Tony Anenih Jr., who participated virtually.
Aziegbemi explained the expulsions, citing anti-party activities. He claimed that Dan Orbih had encouraged PDP members to join the opposition party and accepted an appointment to a third-tier institution’s governing council without consulting the party. He also accused Shaibu of donating vehicles to the APC and disrespecting PDP leaders. Additionally, Ogbeide-Ihama was accused of donating a building to the APC for campaign use.
In response, Omo-Ojo’s statement highlighted the contributions of Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama to the state’s development and suggested that their expulsions reflected the PDP’s internal struggles. He expressed confidence that the APC would welcome both politicians if they decided to leave the PDP.
“The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the PDP is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer,” Omo-Ojo said. “The APC will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”
