THE PAIN DAN ORBIH CAUSED

Chapter Three

As Chief Dan Osi Orbih continued to pilfer the party funds, he left the PDP Edo State at great disadvantage. We continue to expose this monster in our mist, so that we know exactly what we are dealing with. Keeping quiet has done us no good. We want to win, and we must have a fighting chance.

• In the 2015 general elections, Chief Tony Anenih made a case for the aspirants in Edo state for their money used in purchasing nomination forms be returned to them, since we did not have a governor. The national body obliged and sent Three Hundred Seven Million Naira to Dan Orbih for onwards return to the aspirants, so that they could assist the party in the elections. Dan Orbih took the money for himself.

•  Senator Matthew Urhoghide expressed surprise in a stake holders meeting when it was disclosed that the party was owing rent in arrears for its headquarters. The Senator had sent money to Dan Orbih to assist with the payment of rent for same.

•  Delta state governor, Okowa revealed that he gave Dan Orbih Five Million Naira monthly to run the party, provision was to be made to pay salaries and smooth running of the State secretariat, money sent to the LGA and Ward Chairmen to hold bi-monthly meetings. Every single LGA Chairman during the period of 3 years since 2016 will attest that they never received money from the state. Dan Orbih once again has never accounted for such money not even to his Exco. When Governor Okowa found out that not even the salaries of the staff at the party secretariat had been paid for a period of 6 months, he stopped making provision to the state.

• In 2015 during the presidential elections Eight Hundred Million Naira was sent to Edo State for the presidential elections before it was postponed to a later date. Dan Orbih claimed that he had already distributed the funds and another Seven Hundred Million was sent. However, every LGA Chairman during period knows that no money was sent to them.

•  During the 2015 general elections, the sum of Seven Hundred Million was released to Edo State for the House of Assembly elections. 10 million Naira was to be given to each of the party’s candidate for his/her election. Rather the rumor was spread that the then president did not provide money for the election because he lost his. It is the Seven Hundred Million Naira that Dan Orbih faces money laundry charges in court brought by the EFCC.

•  On the day of the Supreme Court judgement between the PDP Governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Godwin Obaseki, Dan Orbih collected the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira from Chief Tony Anenih to service the case. It turned out to be a big fraud. Chief Tony Anenih insisted on him refunding the money until his death. Dan Orbih, because of that never went to see Chief Anenih in his last days.

• Many of us may recall when Governor Nyesom Wike of River State attacked our leaders in Edo State claiming that he was the owner and the leader of the PDP Edo. This met with serious opposition and challenged by them. Governor Wike revealed that he had been giving Dan Orbih Twenty-Five Million Naira monthly for the servicing of the party structure and the running of the party. Our leaders were surprised to know this, they too had been giving money to Dan Orbih upon his request to meet with the needs of the party.

Chief Tom Ikimi accused Gov. Wike of funding his friend, Dan Orbih when Wike claimed to have spent billions on PDP Edo State through Dan Orbih. Never once did Dan Orbih account for the money to the party and all went to his pocket.

You will note that Dan Orbih as a State Chairman never won elections in Edo North on the field. Dan Orbih was also used to field APC members in elections and when they did not win returned to the APC. To win his unit in the 2019 election, Dan Orbih was given sixty million naira, while loyal party men were given One Hundred Thousand Naira, with some units even less.

One thing is sure, Dan Orbih has never supported any aspirant that can win elections for the PDP. In 2015, against all sense of reasoning, Dan Orbih forced his stooge, Barr. Paschal Ugbomeh on the party as its Edo North Senatorial candidate instead of the more popular Abubakar Momoh. Of course, we lost the elections. He didn’t stop there, then imposed Hon. Johnson Abolagba on the people of Owan West in the last elections, claiming an inconclusive election against the party constitution of a simple majority.

Even as he left, Dan Orbih left the party in crisis and divided. He conducted the worst congresses the party has ever had planting failures like himself in the state working committee.

The National Assembly and BOT members of the party in Edo state did not attend the state congress because of the irregularities perpetuated by Dan Orbih. Today, there are 9 cases in courts concerning the congress. As a failure he has left no legacy. Instead he continues to dare the Leaders of the party even as a past state chairman by having the Edo South senatorial chairman, Barr. Nosa Okunbor-Ogieva call a meeting contrary to the decision of the Party by claiming zoning for the governorship 2020. A gathering that insults Super Leaders like Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State, and many others who hold the party together at all levels and hailing from the Edo South Senatorial District.

His accomplices continue to threaten party members who refuse to do his bidding. They are relentless in breaking the party and selling it to the highest bidder in the next elections. This time there will be a reaction.

CONCERNED MEMBERS IN DIASPORA