The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is seeking to capitalize on the internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the September 21 governorship election. The PDP recently expelled former deputy governor Philip Shaibu and National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dan Orbih, for alleged anti-party activities.
The APC chairman in Edo, Jarret Tenebe, and the party’s woman leader, Patricia Okoebor-Benson, confirmed that they would explore every avenue to benefit from the crisis, including wooing the expelled PDP members. Tenebe noted that the PDP’s loss of prominent members like Orbih and Shaibu would be a gain for the APC.
However, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, downplayed the impact of the expulsions, stating that while some members felt Orbih’s exit was a loss, others saw it as “good riddance.” He expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances in the upcoming election.
The APC is hopeful that the internal crisis in the PDP will swing the pendulum in their favor, while the PDP remains confident in their ability to win the election despite the expulsions.