The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Federal Ward 8, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has suspended with immediate effect two prominent members of the Ward, Hon Benjamin Oboh and Ms Philomena Ededey for anti-party activities.
The Ward Working Committee slammed the suspension on Oboh and Ededey in a unanimous decision reached at a meeting held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the residence of the Ward chairman.
The Ward Working Committee at a press conference on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, also approved the suspension of eight executive members in line with the recommendation of the Ward Disciplinary Committee.
In the suspension letter addressed to the national chairman of PDP and read by the Ward 8 Secretary, Mr Jones Omonisa, the party said, “Hon. Benjamin Oboh, acting individually and collectively with others, worked against the PDP Presidential and House of Representatives candidates in the February 18, 2023, elections.
“He was captured in one of the NNPP’s campaign videos where he, as the spokesman of NNPP was seen canvassing for votes for the NNPP candidate Hon. Benson R. lgbakpa.
“He was also seen declaring he had no presidential candidate to work for (video evidence already forwarded to state and LGA Party Chaitmen’s WhatsApp). He also acted as NNPP Local Government campaign coordinator and LGA returning officer.
“Hon. Benjamin Oboh, illegally convened a meeting of the party in his residence where they passed a vote of no confidence and purportedly suspended principal leaders and duly elected officers of the party. An action that could lead to the breach of peace in the Ward, This is a gross misconduct capable of attracting the
meted sanctions.
“The leadership of ward 8, hereby urge all PDP party faithful to disregard the publication of the purported suspension and also to remain calm and united in the light of the above political rascality,” said Ward 8 PDP in the suspension letter.”
The PDP Ward 8 accused Ms Philomena Ededey, who was also a PDP aspirant for the Ethiope Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat of joining forces with the NNPP House of Representatives candidate after withdrawing from the race to work against the PDP candidate.
According to the party Ward 8 leadership, “She (Ms Philomena Ededey) severally declared that she can never work for our candidate for reasons best known to her. She kept away from all of Hon Erhiatake’s Ibori campaign activities and ward meetings.”
Also affected by the suspension are eight executive members of the Ward which include: Ms Monica Ededey, Ms Abigail Uduaghan, Mr Isaac Akpoyibo and Mr Diamand Ededey.
Others are Mr. Prefect Adje, Chief Charlie Adu, Mr. Edafe Adje and Chief Ese Atikpakpa.
Mr Jones Omonisa, while giving insights into the roles played by the Executive Director, Administration of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief John Nani and the incumbent member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ben Igbakpa, said, “They are very detrimental to the success of our party. You can see the damage they caused. They went to NNPP to cause damage; they lost.
“I heard in their press conference that Hon John Nani and Hon Ben Igbakpa instructed them to come and take over Ward 8. Who is Hon Nani to ask Benjamin Oboh to come to take over Ward 8? Is he planning to take over leadership from Chief James Onanefe Ibori?
“Chief John Nani I know lost his Ward during the House of Assembly election. He lost his Ward to APC. He also lost his Ward to APC during the House of Reps and senatorial elections.
“How can someone who lost his Ward during the elections now instruct Hon Benjamin Oboh to come and take over Ward 8?”
