The lingering crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Sunday as the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, known as the Legacy Group, conducted its own State Congress and elected a new set of party executives.

At the congress held in Benin City, Barrister Nosa Ogieva emerged as the new State Chairman, alongside 13 other executive members. The group declared its intention to reunite the party and restore PDP’s electoral strength in Edo State ahead of future elections.

Of the 14 leadership positions contested, 11 candidates were returned unopposed, while Tony Aziegbemi, Henry Tenebe, and Victor Enoghama contested for the positions of State Chairman, Secretary, and Deputy State Chairman, respectively. The congress drew 576 delegates from 192 wards across the state.

In his acceptance speech, Ogieva described the emergence of the new leadership as the beginning of a new era for the Edo PDP.

“We will not betray the trust of party members. Unity and loyalty remain the foundation of our great party. Under our watch, PDP in Edo will be rebuilt to win elections again,” he said.

Meanwhile, PDP chieftain Chief Dan Orbih blamed former Governor Godwin Obaseki for the persistent division within the party, accusing him of alienating key stakeholders since joining the PDP. Orbih argued that the party’s poor performance in recent by-elections reflected its declining influence under the current leadership structure.

He called on members to support capable leaders who could rebuild the PDP and restore its dominance in Edo State’s political landscape.

The development marks yet another chapter in the ongoing power tussle between factions loyal to Wike and those aligned with Obaseki, further heightening uncertainty within the Edo PDP ahead of the 2026 governorship election.