From our political desk, Benin
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A support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Lucky Ohimai a.k.a. Tarex in the Owan-West zone of the party has appealed to the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo over the tussle for the party's leadership in the locality.
According to an impeccable inside source on Thursday, 16, January, 2025 in Benin, a simmering leadership crisis is brewing within the Owan-West chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over an alleged attempt to blackmail and replace the former Edo State deputy governor, Rev. Peter Obadan as the Party's leader in the zone against the wishes of the majority of members.
The opposition to Obadan's continued leadership is primarily emerging from the faction aligned to Hon. Julius Ihonbvere, the member representing Owan federal constituency in the House of Representatives and also the Majority Leader of the House.
The group is said to be taking advantage of an alleged statement earlier made by Rev. Obadan moments after the victory of the party in the last gubernatorial elections.
An elated Obadan was quoted to have told party stakeholders during an enlarged meeting; of his willingness to handover the leadership position to the younger Turk, Lucky Ohimai, (Tarex), based on the renewed vigour and strength he (Ohimai) brought to the party in Owan-West which culminated in its victory.
The said pronouncement by the former Edo deputy Governor ruffled not only a few feathers in the party, particularly from the older folks led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, our source said.
It was therefore expected that sooner than later, events would start unfolding to ensure that their stronghold in the party is maintained.
Further, it was said that some ward leaders in the local Government who allegedly are loyal to Hon. Julius Ihonbvere met recently, to strategize on how to ease out the long-serving Rev. Obadan and replace him with their nominee, Dele Ogunleye.
Consequently in a communiqué signed by S. I. Akhigbe and 15 others, a motion for his replacement was moved and unanimously adopted at the meeting, it was said.
But the choice of Ogunleye and attempt to alter the leadership status met stiff opposition and condemnation from another leadership group in the local Government.
The opposing group opted for the maintenance of the status quo or if a change must be effected, it should be Chief Lucky Ohimai, a well-known grassroots politician popularly referred to as Tarex.
The Leadership Group said to be opposed to the choice of Ogunleye, comprises creme da la creme members of the party; including the Owan-West APC Chairman, Frank David, Ojo Asein, the LGA Youth Leader, Chief Odion Omogbai, Reginald Okun, Enahoro Aikpokpo and several others.
The group is said to have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to give recognition to the Ohimai caucus; following the latter's unwavering support and immeasurable efforts towards his victory at the September 21st Edo State governorship election.
According to the group, before the leadership of Ohimai came on board to actively participate in the politics of Owan West, the "APC in the local Government could best be described as a rudderless ship, as the party clearly lacked the wherewithal, strength and focus to prevail in a contest over the now opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), who had the well-entrenched presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku in its fold."
They noted; "the intervention and presence of Chief Ohimai who bestrode the entire local Government like a colossus during the campaigns and whose allure and presence attracted several opposition figures into the APC's fold, as never witnessed in the party's history; gave the APC a well-deserved victory.
"The pro-Ihonvbere group even in their protest letter acknowledged that Chief Ohimai contributed significantly to repositioning the APC in Owan-West."
Hence Ohimai's loyalists are of the view that the call for the removal of Rev. Peter Obadan as LGA leader is a mere smokescreen, directed at whittling down his growing influence before the Governor and other critical party stakeholders across Edo State.
They noted, that the statement allegedly issued by Rev. Obadan indicating his preparedness to relinquish the APC's leadership to Lucky Ohimai was a pill too bitter to swallow, by supporters of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
Who was said; holds the opinion that as a man occupying such a high profile position at the federal level, the onus should naturally rest on him to provide leadership for the party.
They therefore see the Rev. Obadan's pronouncement as an affront taken too far.
Even though, the majority of party members in Owan-West welcome the idea of Ohimai's leadership, they stated.
"He is a man who virtually turned the tide in favour of the APC by using huge personal resources in providing logistics support for the party and members, before, during and after the elections.
"He has all the qualities needed to successfully place the party on a surer footing in winning future electoral contests in Owan-West."
Urging the Governor to disregard the protest letter by those feeling short changed in the scheme of things, the group asked that it should be ensured kudos, accolades and patronages are only accorded to those who ensured the victory of the party in the recently held gubernatorial elections.
Meanwhile, they emphasized the need to maintain laid down constitutional processes and procedures, and allow them to play out without manipulations and undue interference.
Also, they appealed to Governor Okpebholo to consider the Owan-West zone for a Commissionership and other appointments.
Especially, taking into cognizance the inputs of party leaders who showed visibility towards ensured victory; are taken into consideration.
Towards the new thinking; the group urged the Governor as the leader of the party not to be swayed by what they termed; "undue sentiments of those who feel the old order must take precedence over new thinking, which individuals like Chief Lucky Ohimai represent."
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