The leadership crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, as the South-South Zonal Working Committee of the party has announced the appointment of a fresh caretaker committee to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.
According to a statement signed by Prince Etim Isong, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, the decision was reached during a regular meeting held on Tuesday, March 22, 2025, at the Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
InfoStride News reports that the newly appointed caretaker committee for Edo State was constituted by the Chief Dan Orbih-led faction of the zonal committee. A similar committee was also announced for Bayelsa State.
Titled “PDP Appoints Caretaker Committee for Bayelsa and Edo States,” the statement said the committees will oversee the affairs of the party in both states for a period of three months.
The members of the Edo State caretaker committee include:
- Hon. Nosa Ogieva – Chairman
- Chief Sunny Okomayin – Deputy Chairman
- Hillary Otsu – Secretary
- Nosa Iseleomon – Vice Chairman, Edo South
- Ehisota Oriakhi – Vice Chairman, Edo Central
- Richard Ehimigbai – Vice Chairman, Edo North
- Mrs. Tes Sorae – Woman Leader
- Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye – Treasurer
- Emma Akaba – Auditor
- David Okojie – Organizing Secretary
- Bob-Manuel Umoru – Publicity Secretary
- William Umoru – Legal Adviser
- Moses Izobo – Financial Secretary
- David Oreye – Youth Leader
Isong stated that the decision to dissolve the existing state working committees in both Edo and Bayelsa stemmed from allegations of gross misconduct, poor performance in recent elections, and the mishandling of internal crises within the party.
He cited breaches of the PDP constitution, particularly Articles 10, 26, 27, 58, and 59 (as amended in 2017), as the legal basis for the action.
“The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the party after a careful review of the activities of the party in both states,” Isong noted.
He added that the bold move would help strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure more effective leadership moving forward. The Zonal Chairman also urged the newly appointed leaders to prioritize unity, discipline, and cohesion in order to reposition the party for political success.
InfoStride News recalls that former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki had, on November 8, 2024, inaugurated a separate ten-member caretaker committee for the state chapter of the party.
That committee, led by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, included Harrison Omagbon (Deputy Chairman), Fidel Igenegbale, Chris Nehikhare (Publicity Secretary), Tony Anenih Jr. (Organizing Secretary), Archbishop Anthony Okosun, Segun Saiki, Adezat Ibrahim (Woman Leader), Augustine Edosomwan, and Tenebe as Secretary.
Obaseki had cited Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) as the basis for his action.
The emergence of two parallel caretaker committees now deepens the leadership tussle within the Edo State PDP, raising concerns ahead of critical political events in the state.
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