The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is considering disciplinary action against some of its members in the Edo State chapter for alleged anti-party activities.
It was gathered in Abuja, yesterday, that the party leadership has been inundated with petitions against the party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Dan Orbih and some party members in his cycle.
A party source privy to the plan who confided on our correspondent, said, “Much as the party will appreciate the cooperation of all tendencies in the state, Orbih and a few persons around him have consistently shown disregard for our collective interest. “If you recall, the State Chapter had at some point announced his expulsion but we waded in to broker a truce but it appears him and a handful of people have refused all entreaties to see reason.”
Party insiders hint that an official query is to be issued to party members campaigning against its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, “any time from now” and that those whose explanations are found unsatisfactory will be made to face the party’s disciplinary committee.
Party leaders are said to have expressed concerns that a stakeholder of the South-South Vice Chairman’s standing could be caught on camera in jubilation after an erroneous media report on a case involving the party.
Another party source said, “We cannot take any punitive action without first allowing him to defend himself as our constitution stipulates.
“We will follow due process and be fair to all parties. We have an election to win we will deal with these distractions and move on.” Only a few days ago, the Edo State PDP Youth League issued a statement demanding sanctions against the South-South party leader who was seen on a viral video celebrating a court ruling that purportedly nullified the party’s primary.
Orbih’s accusers argue that his recent actions run contrary to provisions of Sections 58 (1) (a) (b) (f) and (j) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017). The question is, can he conduct himself in this manner and expect to continue to hold office as the National Vice Chairman (South-South) or even as a member of the PDP”, the source said. Section 59 (1) of the PDP Constitution provides for sanctions including expulsion for offenses listed in 58 (1) which include engaging in anti-Party activities among others.