Barr,Nosa Ogieva emerged as the new state chairman of the PDP during the state congress held by the faction loyal to the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, 

The factional executive emerged at a congress held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with 576 delegates from the state’s 192 wards participating in the exercise.

He said the outcome of recent by-elections reflected the need for renewed unity and leadership within the party, adding that the congress was an opportunity to restore internal cohesion and strengthen the PDP’s structure ahead of future elections.

“Just yesterday, I saw a statement from some funny characters advising party members not to attend this event. Are you not here?” Orbih asked. “Those who have no moral authority to speak on behalf of the party should keep their mouths shut.”

“As we prepare to elect our executive, I will appeal to you to vote for those with the capacity to lead this party, not those who will sell out, not those who will deny members their legitimate right

“Let us not deceive ourselves. For the first time in the history of our great party, we have elected governors of PDP and founding leaders, founding members of this party, leaving this party every day for one simple reason: failure of leadership.

“Elected governors are leaving. Elected senators are leaving. Elected members of the House are leaving. In Edo state, we know the root of our problem. We had a united party where everybody related with one another as brothers and sisters, until Godwin Obaseki joined our party.

“Obaseki destroyed our party. He sowed the seeds of discord, deep-rooted seeds of discord in our party. He sinned against the party. He sinned against the people. He sinned against the state.

Orbih also dismissed an earlier statement issued by another faction advising members to boycott the congress, encouraging party faithful to remain focused on the collective goal of rebuilding the PDP in Edo State.

“Obaseki came into the party and destroyed everything good in the party. Today, our party’s umbrella is shattered, torn, and we are here today to rebuild the party.

“What used to put us together as a family was destroyed by Obaseki. He fought every person except himself, and in the end, we are at a very disadvantaged position in the politics of Edo state.”

The new factional chairman promised to reunite the party, saying the PDP would soon begin to win elections again in the state.

13 other members of the state executive were also sworn in at the event. While 11 members were returned unopposed, Tony Aziegbemi, Henry Tenebe, and Victor Enoghama contested for the positions of Chairman, Secretary, and Deputy State Chairman, respectively. A total of 576 delegates from the 192 wards participated in the congress.