joshuaLeadership Crisis Rocks Owan West All Progressives Congress
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A simmering leadership crisis is brewing within the Owan West chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over attempt to blackmail and replace the former Edo State deputy governor, Rev. Peter Obadan as the Owan West APC leader against the wish of majority of party members.
Opposition against 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 taking advantage of the statement earlier made by Rev Obadan moments after the victory of the party in the last gubernatorial elections. An elated Rev. Obadan told party stakeholders during an enlarged meeting of his willingness to handover the leadership of the party 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 the victory of the party.
That pronouncement by the former Edo deputy governor ruffled not a few feathers in the party, particularly from older folks led by Prof Julius Ihonvbere. It was therefore expected that sooner than later, events would start to unfold in ensuring that their strangle-hold on the party is maintained.
Some ward leaders in the local government who are said to be loyal to the 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.
In a communiqué signed by Mr. S. I. Akhigbe and 15 others, it was said that a motion for the replacement of Obadan was moved and unanimously adopted at the meeting.
The choice of Ogunleye and attempt to alter the leadership status met stiff opposition and condemnation from another leadership group in the local government who 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 often referred to as Tarex.
The Leadership Group opposed to choice of Ogunleye comprises of 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 leadership of the group 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 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 People’s 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 that 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’s contributed significantly to repositioning the APC in Owan West.
Loyalist of Lucky Ohimai 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 the growing influence of Chief Lucky Ohimai before the governor and other critical party stakeholders across Edo State.
They noted that the statement 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 whose opinion is that as a man holding such high profile position at the federal level, the onus should naturally rest on him to provide leadership for the party. They therefore saw Rev. Obadan’s pronouncement as an affront taken too far.
Majority of party members in Owan West welcomes the idea of Ohimai’s leadership, saying that as 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.
They urged Governor Okpebholo to disregard the protest letter by those feeling shortchanged in the scheme of things and ensure kudos, accolades and patronages are accorded to those who ensured the victory of the party in the recently held gubernatorial elections.
While emphasizing the need to maintain laid down constitutional processes and procedures and allow them play out without manipulations and undue interference, they appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to consider a candidate for the Commissioner in Owan West and other appointments by taking into cognizance the inputs of party leaders who showed visibility and ensure the party’s victory are taken into consideration. They urged the Governor, being the leader of the party not to be swayed by undue sentiments of those who feel the old order must take precedence over new thinking which individuals like Chief Lucky Ohimai represents.
