FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and PDP logo
Internal crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a deeper turn, following the emergence of a parallel state executive committee loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The newly-formed executive, led by Nosa Ogieva, was inaugurated on Sunday in Benin City under the umbrella of the Legacy Group, a faction aligned with Wike’s political interests. The event marked the conclusion of the group’s 2025 State Congress, which reportedly drew 576 delegates from all 192 wards across the state.
According to party sources, while 11 members of the new executive were returned unopposed, key positions including State Chairman, Secretary, and Deputy Chairman saw contests involving Tony Aziegbemi, Henry Tenebe, and Victor Enoghama, respectively.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Ogieva pledged to lead a unifying effort within the party and restore its electoral dominance in Edo.
> “Our emergence marks a new chapter in Edo PDP. We will not betray this party nor take it for granted,” he said.
“We are here to reposition and rebrand the PDP so it can begin to win elections again.”
He also extended an olive branch to aggrieved members, calling for reconciliation and cooperation.
> “Loyalty and unity remain the bedrock of the PDP. We must come together for the sake of the party’s future.”
The faction’s congress was attended by Chief Dan Orbih, leader of the Legacy Group and former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South). In his remarks, Orbih strongly criticized former Governor Godwin Obaseki, whom he blamed for the division currently plaguing the party.
> “We had a united PDP where everyone related as brothers and sisters until Obaseki joined our party,” Orbih stated.
“He came in and destroyed everything that was good in the PDP. He sowed the seeds of deep discord and left our umbrella torn and shattered.”
Orbih also cited the PDP’s recent electoral struggles as evidence of the growing discontent within the party, attributing the decline to what he described as poor leadership and internal exclusion.
> “For the first time in our history, elected governors, senators, and House members are leaving the PDP every day, all because of failure of leadership.”
Taking aim at the rival faction believed to be aligned with Obaseki, Orbih accused them of undermining the party from within.
> “They are undertakers praying for the PDP to collapse so they can join the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” he alleged.
Calling for unity and a return to principle-driven leadership, he urged delegates to back individuals with character and capacity.
> “Those who will sell out or deny members their rights should have no place in the new PDP,” he said.
The emergence of parallel leadership signals continued uncertainty ahead of the 2025 elections, raising questions about the PDP’s readiness to resolve internal disputes and present a united front.
NAN
