8th February, 2024
There is palpable tension in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over the alleged endorsement and planned imposition of a preferred aspirant for the incoming governorship election on the party by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
It was gathered that what started as a rumour few weeks ago has gained traction across the state.
It was reported that the Senator allegedly held a meeting with two of his former Commissioners, Mr. Kassim Afegbua and Mr. Mika Amanokha in the company of Mr. Dennis Idahosa, where he reportedly urged both former Commissioners to spread the message to the chairmen across the 18 local government areas.
One of the local chairmen in Edo North who asked not to be named, confirmed that he had been instructed to call a meeting of leaders to pass the message that President Bola Tinubu and his Vice Chairman, Kashim Shettima as well as the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, had all endorsed Idahosa for the ticket.
However, other aspirants, like Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Charles Airhiavbere, Mr Lucky Imasuen, Blessing Agbonmere, Mr. David Imuse, have all vowed to resist imposition of any aspirant on the the party.
If the present situation advances into a full blown crisis, the APC will be heading into the 21 September gubernatorial election a divided house just like the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.