By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo ward has wielded its sledgehammer on the immediate past member of the Federal House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
He has been expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities by his Oredo ward 2 leadership.
Recall that Ogbeide-Ihama represented the Oredo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2023.
Recall also that Ogbeide-Ihama, along with former deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, had last week gave out their governorship campaign secretariats and facilities to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Chairman of PDP Ward 2 in Oredo local government Area Lawrence Aguebor, announced the expulsion of the former lawmaker from the party on Tuesday in Benin City, Edo State capital.
Aguebor said the decision to expel Ogbeide-Ihama was taken at an enlarged meeting by the ward members and executives, held at Airport Road in Benin City.
The ward chairman, who read the resolutions of the meeting, said the expulsion followed his suspension by the ward executives and critical stakeholders of the ward who met on May 3, 2024.
He said the ward had earlier suspended him for 30 days, after which a disciplinary committee was set up.
According to him, the committee wrote him letters, called him on the phone and sat down five times but Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama failed to appear before it.
“Today, we have received the report and recommendations of the committee and the committee has recommended the expulsion of Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie from PDP.
“The offences of Hon. Ihama for which he now stands expelled are captured under section 58 (1) a, b, d, e, f, h, l, j, and l. With the expulsion of Hon. Ogbiede-Ihama Omoregie, members of the general public are to desist from doing any business that has to do with the PDP with him,” he said.
He added that the ward members also put his expulsion to a voice vote, with all members backing his expulsion from the party.
The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Political Matters (Oredo), Victor Enoghama, said the suspension and expulsion were long overdue.
Enoghama said that Ogbeide-Ihama had donated his building at Ring Road by Sokponba Road Junction to the APC to be used as a campaign office for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.
“His suspension is long overdue. Let him join the APC family, as we can’t allow him to be in PDP and fraternize with the APC.
“We also call on the ward of the former deputy governor to follow suit and expel Comrade Philip Shaibu from the PDP, also for anti-party activities.
“He is carrying out anti-party activities. He has also donated his campaign office at Airport Road with vehicles to APC for the September 21, 2024, governorship election. He can’t be in PDP and be supporting APC,” he added.