By joshua 
Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous People’s Welfare Foundation Rejects Imposition, Wants Tinubu’s Intervention
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Ogbakha-Edo is once again compelled to address “the deeply disturbing and increasingly dangerous allegations surrounding plans to impose a preferred candidate in the forthcoming APC Edo South Senatorial Primary. And this applies to other political parties that may be contemplating the idea.”
In a statement signed by Professor Sam Guobadia (Chairman) and Dr. Andrew O. Izekor (Secretary General), the Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous People’s Welfare Foundation since their earlier statement of May 1, “which received widespread circulation and overwhelming public endorsement, rather than clear denials from the appropriate authorities, fresh reports and disturbing political signals continue to reinforce fears that the democratic rights of APC members in Edo South are under serious threat.
“We consider this development unacceptable, provocative, and capable of triggering avoidable political unrest within the party and across Edo South. The attempt to reduce an entire senatorial district to a mere political appendage controlled by external interests is an insult to the dignity, history, and political relevance of Edo South people. Edo South cannot and will not submit to political humiliation, subjugation, or the brazen theft of its democratic rights.”
In view of the grave implications of these developments, Ogbakha-Edo “respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the APC, to urgently intervene in this matter before it degenerates further. As a foremost beneficiary and symbol of democratic struggle in Nigeria, Mr. President must not allow anti-democratic forces within the party to undermine the credibility of the APC through manipulation, coercion, and imposition.”
With a belief that Mr. President is “committed to fairness, internal democracy. It is therefore important that he calls those behind these alleged schemes to order and ensures that the Edo South Senatorial Primary is conducted transparently, credibly, and strictly in accordance with democratic principles and party guidelines.”
Alarming are reports that desperate efforts are ongoing “to pressure, intimidate, and financially induce political leaders and stakeholders within Edo South into supporting a predetermined arrangement. If true, such actions represent a dangerous assault on internal democracy and a direct attempt to silence the legitimate aspirations of party members.”
Ogbakha-Edo “therefore advise all Edo APC political leaders, stakeholders, and influential figures to immediately distance themselves from any form of political shenanigans associated with the alleged imposition agenda.
“History will not be kind to those who mortgage the collective dignity and political future of Edo South for temporary personal benefits. This is a defining moment that demands courage, integrity, and loyalty to the people rather than submission to external political interests.”
Ogbakha-Edo is of the belief that the people of Edo South “are not second-class citizens within the APC or any other political party. Our zone possesses competent, credible, and qualified aspirants capable of presenting themselves before party members for a free and fair contest.
“Any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of a pre-selected candidate will be firmly resisted through all lawful and democratic means available.”
Ogbakha-Edo restate their unequivocal demand that the party leadership, “both at the state and national levels, must guarantee a transparent, credible, and uncompromised primary election in Edo South. Anything short of this will amount to a betrayal of democratic values and may carry serious political consequences for the party.”
In conclusion, Ogbakha-Edo stressed that the growing anger, anxiety, and resentment “among party faithful and the wider populace should not be ignored. All political parties, the APC in particular, must choose between democracy and imposition, between justice and manipulation, between unity and avoidable division.”