EDO PDP CRISIS: Stakeholders seek to sheathe their swords

Written by Dapo Akinrefon & Simon Ebegbulem

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

THE warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State may soon bury their differences as elders and traditional rulers from Esan land intervened last weekend, in the protracted crisis between their two sons, Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor and the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.
It would be recalled that the governor and his estranged godfather have been at loggerheads over the control of the party machinery in the state.

While those in the governor’s camp, including the two time governor of the old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia believe that as the Governor of the state, he should take charge as leader of the party therefore must be allowed to build a political machinery in the state that would enable him go for a second term in office.

Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor

It was also argued that Chief Anenih produced about sixty five percent of the Commissioners and Special Advisers in the cabinet of Governor Osunbor, so it is common sense that the governor be allowed to have control of the party so that he would at least be in firm control of the activities of government and the party.

But the Chief Anenih’s camp disagreed with this stance, insisting that Anenih, being a national leader of the party and one who also contributed immensely to the emergence of the governor, must be allowed to take charge of the party machinery. It was as a result of these controversies that tore Edo PDP into two camps.

This, however led to the two camps holding parallel congresses.
From the former BOT chairman’s camp, Chief Dan Orbih emerged as Chairman, while Mr Edward Sado emerged chairman of the Osunbor-led PDP.

It is instructive to note that the two factional chairmen are from Edo North Senatorial district. Peace has since eluded the Edo State PDP owing to the parallel congress as both factions have been engaged in war of words.

This persisted till the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal annulled the election of Governor Osunbor and declared Comrade Adams Oshiomohle of the Action Congress (AC) winner of the election.
With this development, the two camps are, however poised to sheathe their swords.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the lead counsel to the PDP and Governor Osunbor, Dr Alex Iziyon and Ighodalo Imadegbelo, both SAN, stressed the need for reconciliation before the Appeal Court hearing. The duo were actually part of those who facilitated the meeting.
Aside, the duo of Osunbor and Anenih hail from the Central Senatorial District of Edo State. The Governor is from Iruekpen while Chief Anenih who also is the Iyasele of Esan land hails from Uromi.

Brokering peace between the two gladiators

It was learnt that the elders and traditional rulers which included the Onojie of Uromi, Onojie of Ekpoma, representatives of the Anglican Church and two of the lawyers who led the PDP team at the tribunal, Alex Iziyon and Ighodalo Imadugbelo, were worried about the animosity between the duo as a result of the crisis in the state PDP.

The meeting was convened at the palace of the Onojie of Ugbegun where the warring camps were given the opportunity to express their grievances.

It was further learnt that the meeting, initially scheduled to hold at the palace of the Onojie of Uromi where Chief Anenih hails from, was shifted owing the governor’s objection of the venue. It was thus agreed a neutral venue be fixed if indeed there would be true reconciliation His request was, however, granted.

Vanguard learnt that politicians were banned from the meeting because the elders knew that if the loyalists of the two leaders were allowed to besiege venue of the meeting, the whole thing would turn political.

Due to protested by loyalists, five from both camps were allowed to attend the peace meeting, but were, however, warned not to speak or contribute in any way.
Chief Anenih and the Governor were asked to argue their cases before the elders in order to enable the rift resolved as soon as possible.

A source at the meeting, who craved anonymity,  told Vanguard that the Governor who spoke passionately appreciated Chief Anenih’s contributions to his emergence as governor explained that he became worried when he heard that some people were setting up structures after he (Anenih) assured him that he was going for a second term.

He said he had no serious problem with Chief Anenih but argued that it was just the actions of some persons who were setting up structures just to undermine him. He reiterated his desire for peace in the party as a Knight of the Anglican and stressed the need for peace to return to the party.

On his part, Chief Anenih complained that the Governor refused to pick his calls and all his text messages were not replied. He further lamented that even after the tribunal ruling; he sent text messages to the governor who failed to return his calls. He said he had tried to bring all the parties together so that PDP will be one again in the state but all his efforts were allegedly  being frustrated by Osunbor.

He was quick to add that the Edo boss still remains his son irrespective of the crisis. He agreed that he actually assured the Governor of a second term, but noted however that he was not God but that he believes that he (Osunbor) would get a second term if he performs in the state following the abysmal performance of the immediate past administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

Having listened to both parties, the duo were advised by the elders to go to Abuja and settle the issue as there was nothing serious about it since they are all kinsmen.
Vanguard learnt that the meeting was a huge success because it was the first time since the crisis started.

It was reliably gathered that some members of the National Executive of the party were part of the Abuja meeting. It was learnt that Chief Anenih requested for the dissolution of the Barr. Edward Sado led Executive of the PDP in the state and the removal of the Chief of Staff to the state government, Mr Isaiah Osifo.

But his request was very cumbersome for the Governor to accept. It was said that the Governor pleaded that some of those issues be left aside till the Appeal Court rules on the case between the party and the Action Congress. As at the time of filling this report, the meeting was still on_going in Abuja but it was learnt that the two factional chairmen Chief Dan Orbih and Mr Edward Sado may be asked to step aside for a neutral person to step in.

It was further gathered that Senator Odion Ugbesia and his loyalists had vowed never to recognize Sado, insisting that Orbih  remains their chairman. But the party leaders stressed the need for peace so that the party would be reunited to be able to confront Adams Oshiomohle and the Action Congress in the state incase the Appeal Court calls for a re_run of the governorship election.

However, Vanguard learnt that the national leadership of the party resolved that the two factions should go back to Benin and harmonize.A meeting between Dr Samuel Ogbemudia and Chief Anenih was scheduled, at the residence of Chief Ogbemudia. 

Osunbor makes case for peace

The Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, said it was disposed in reconciling with the faction of the party led by Chief Tony Anenih but however stressed the need for the leaders to exhibit sincerity to the peace process.

The party also described as “wicked” the alleged attempt by the Action Congress (AC) to distance it self from the Igbinedion family, insisting that “family has been a source of support for the Action Congress and it will be ungrateful to abandon the family even their heir apparent to the throne of Igbinedion dynasty is going through a very rough road. So this is the time it needs the support of AC and they should not pretend to distance themselves from them”.

The Chairman of the Chief Tony Anenih led faction of the party in the state, Chief Dan Orbih and other leaders including Senators Odion Ugbesia and Yisa Braimoh had recently outlined the acceptance of Dan Orbih as Chairman of the party in the state and the recognition of Chief Anenih as the leader of the party as conditions for peace in the state PDP.

But responding, the Governor’s faction chaired by Barr. Edward Sado, faulted the conditions being given by the Anenih faction, arguing that since the leaders of the party were still in the process of finding lasting solution to the contending issues, it would be wrong for any member of the party to be giving conditions for peace.

It is expected that the crisis with in the state PDP would be over in the next few weeks. It is the wish of majority of the members of the party in the state that the factional crisis in the party becomes a thing of the past so that the Governor who had embarked on massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads in the state, would not be distracted.

Aside, it is expected that PDP in Edo State puts its house in order to afford them the opportunity to emerge victorious at the Court of Appeal.

Anenih’s camp gives condition for peace

Following series of peace meetings in Abuja and Benin City, the Chief Tony Anenih backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, led by Chief Dan Orbih, gave conditions for the final resolution of the factional crisis ravaging the party in the state.

The conditions which included the acceptance of Chief Orbih as Chairman of the party and the recognition of Chief Tony Anenih as the leader of the party by the faction of the party led by the Governor, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, came amidst calls by the national leadership of the party that the warring factions reconcile their differences so that they can move forward. The conditions were handed out at an enlarged meeting of the group in Benin City.

On his part, Chief Orbih who commended the members for the support given to him so far, insisted that “there can be no harmonization without respecting or recognizing those who worked for our party during the election. The problem we are having is that those whom we elected into positions are now calling themselves leaders.

We found ourselves in a situation where a click seized the instrument of government and neglected those who worked for the party”. Orbih however, commended Governor Osunbor for what he described as his giant stride in the repairs of roads in the state and urged him to “spread it round the nook and crannies of the state.

We must always commend those who have done well irrespective of the situation. But we must all know that the party remains supreme in all we do”.
Though both camps seem to have given condition for peace to reign in the party, INEC has maintained that unless a new congress is held, it might not be uhuru.