Edo PDP Crisis: Obaseki, Orbih Declare Ceasefire

• As Gov Ortom’s committee applauds warring factions

If the emerging positive signals are anything to go by, then the crisis rocking the Edo Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State may be finally over for good.

This follows the success achieved by the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom-led Reconciliation and Peace Committee in addressing the differences between the two factions of the Party spearheaded by Governor Godwin Obaseki and National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.

Following the seeming intractable crisis that engulfed the Chapter, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) had on March 16, 2022, at its 95th meeting constituted a Four-member committee to tackle and resolve all the contentious issues involved.

Led by Governor Ortom as Chairman, the Committee had Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; and Darius Ishaku of Taraba respectively as members.

Rising from the peace meeting with the warring parties that lasted more than six hours at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, it was an interesting sight to behold as members of the Committee and the warring factions in the Edo crises stepped out of the hall at about midnight beaming with smiles.

Governor Ortom, who briefly addressed journalists on the outcome of the prolonged meeting, said: “As you are aware, the National Executive Committee of our great party put us together to resolve the issues in Edo State; and successfully by the grace of God, we have resolved all the issues and are going back to Edo State as one PDP party.”

Flanked by members of the Peace Committee as well as Governor Godwin Obaseki and Chief Dan Orbih, the Benue Governor further said; “No more factions, no more disagreement. And by the grace of God, we are sure that it shall be well in Edo State.”

He commended leaders and members of the warring parties as well as Party stakeholders for giving peace a chance to reign while urging them to maintain the give and take spirit that prevailed during the reconciliation meeting.

A statement by the Benue State governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur said among those present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu; National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih; Senators and members of House of Representatives from Edo State as well as the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi.