BENIN CITY — A fresh crisis is rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State as the pro-Governor Lucky Igbinedion faction which expelled the state secretary, Deacon Bayo Ogbomo, an Anenih acolyte from the party and appointed a new secretary, has rejected the move by the national leadership of the party to reinstate him (Ogbomo).
Ogbomo from the Edo South senatorial district fell into the bad books of his fellow Bini politicians over his role in the crisis that erupted between the Igbinedion and Anenih camps in the party some months ago. He was kidnapped, suspended, dethroned as secretary and subsequently expelled by his senatorial district.
Two-time governor of the defunct Bendel State and leader of the party in Edo South, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia presided over the senatorial meeting at which Ogbomo’s removal was approved and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion was also in attendance.
Chief Anenih who has been strategizing on how to effectively take control of the party in the state arrived Benin City, Wednesday, to sort out some grey areas. Governor Igbinedion is on leave abroad but his men were said to be monitoring the developments and keeping him up to date.
Some party members stormed the party secretariat about two weeks ago to break open the office and install Mr. P Ediaghonya, the choice of the Edo South people as the new state secretary.
But the national secretary of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor in a letter, dated August 10, addressed to the state chairman, Prince Solomon Aguele, copies of which were sent to Chief Anenih and Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, stated that the expulsion of Ogbomo as secretary did not follow due processes laid down in the party’s constitution.
He ordered that the expulsion which he declared null and void be rescinded, pointing out that Deacon Bayo Ogbomo “remains the state secretary.”
Legal Adviser of the party in the state, A Osayomwanbor Esq. in a counter statement in Benin City, stated that the expulsion of Ogbomo as the state secretary was a closed case. Citing Article 16, paragraphs b and c of the party’s constitution, he said Ogbomo was expelled by his Usen ward and had the right to appeal within 14 days to the immediate higher organ which he failed to do.
“The decision to expel him (Ogbomo) was taken by his ward, ratified by his local government and his senatorial district and he did not appeal against any of the decisions of the three levels of the party organization. He, therefore cannot originate his appeal to you as an apex ‘‘Supreme Court’’
“Having been expelled and the decision communicated to the State Executive Committee in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution, the State Working Committee with the governor in attendance adopted the position of the Edo South senatorial district to forward a name replacing Ogbomo”, he said.
According to him, it was consequent on the above that Mr. Ediagbonya was picked as a replacement making Ogbomo’s case closed constitutionally.
