By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—THE Dr Samuel Ogbemudia/Admiral Mike Akhigbe-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, yesterday, disclosed their intention to formally report the former Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Senators Yisa Braimoh and Odion Ugbesia to the National leadership of the party for alleged anti party activities.

While accusing Chief Anenih of allegedly giving three PDP Commissioners to the Action Congress, AC, government in the state, led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, without the consent of other leaders of the party in the state, they accused the two senators and other loyalists of Chief Anenih in the National Assembly of paying solidarity visit to Governor Oshiomhole few months after the Court of Appeal sacked the Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor-led administration, where they pledged their support for his administration.

But the Director of Publicity of the PDP and loyalist of Chief Anenih, Mr Okharedia Ihimekpen, who reacted swiftly, declared that the Acting Chairman of the Ogbemudia/Akhigbe led faction of the PDP, Elder Sunny Uyigue and its Publicity Secretary, Dr Francis Iyasere, have been expelled from the party for alleged “extortion of members”, adding that “they have no right to speak for the party”.

Elder Uyigue, who was flanked by the former Deputy Governor of the state, Reverend Peter Obadan, Mr Sam Ogbemudia (jr), Dr Iyasere, Arisco Osenwegie and others, debunked the allegation that they were being sponsored by the AC-led government in the state, asserting that those who must be sanctioned in the party were leaders of the party who openly declared their support to Oshiomhole by giving him three commissioners.

“So this allegation that we are being sponsored by Oshiomhole is laughable. Meanwhile, they have been committing anti-party activities with this same government and we are going to take it up with the national leadership. We are the authentic PDP in the state.

Chief Orbih is a product of imposition which is archaic process of selection in a democracy and as you all know that is what our group is fighting today,” he stated.

He added that “they went and forged a letter saying that the Chief of Staff to the state government sponsored the advert we paid for in the Observer welcoming our President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.”

We do not need the state government to render assistance to us because we have PDP Governors in various states. We have our own means of financing the party. They are sinking and they know because we have told them that the era of imposition in Edo state PDP is over”.