2024 Edo Governorship: My resignation from APC, partisan politics remains unchanged - Chief Francis Inegbeniki

••• Says decision for good of constituents!

From our political desk, Benin 

From (L), Chairman, NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chief, Dr. Francis Inegbeniki and his followers at the Union Secretariat on Monday, 10 June, 2024. (Photo courtesy hilltopnationale online in house lens)

State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), now former; Chief Francis Inegbeniki has reaffirmed his resignation from the Party and partisan politics.

On Sunday, the resignation letter he personally signed, and  addressed to his Ward 9 Chairman of the APC, Opoji in Esan Central Local Government Council Area of Edo State, circulated on the social media space.

But later in the day, another statement purportedly from him saying he has rescinded his decision circulated on the same social media space.

However, in a swift reaction on Monday, 10 June, 2024 at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin-City, he declared that his decision to leave the APC and step aside from partisan politics remains unchanged.

There is a time in the life of every man when hard decisions must be taken not only for self interest but for the interest of his people, he said; declaring his resignation was due to issues within the Party that are against his personal principles.

"... However, recent developments in the Party in my local Government area and State conflicts with my core principles and values."

This he said led him to do a serious political evaluation of his political future in Edo State and decide on the way forward.

Though it was a hard decision but it was in the best interest of the people of his Senatorial district, Inegbeniki a.k.a the 'Uzoya' of Esanland asserts.

Adding it was time to chart a new course; he stated that he still believes in the 'Renewed Hope' agenda of the APC which he noted needs a lot of rejigging in Edo State.

"...for the moment I need a break; I want to stay clear of partisan politics for the now."

He said anytime he wants to again support any political Party, he would also let the world know through the media.

Inegbeniki confessed that his involvement in partisan politics had hindered his outspokenness about what he termed; 'lot of things going wrong in the State'.

"But now that I am not in any political Party, I will open my mouth and speak the truth."

Talking about the pressure for him to rescind his decision to dump the APC; Inegbenik disclosed; "I can tell you, it is only Tinubu who has not called me since I announced my resignation. I have received calls from many, many people.

"But I cannot rescind my decision now because it is not about me; I am only leading the way as there is something about to happen in Edo State; political tsunami in APC!"

He asserts that it was all for the good of Edo State and his Senatorial district which comprises mainly of the Esan speaking tribe.