Controversy: Ovia South West APC ‘Stakeholders’ Write Party, Accuses Dep Gov Idahosa of Imposing Wife’s Driver as Council Election Candidate

By Reporter

A group—Ovia South West Concerned Stakeholders is accusing the Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa of impositing his preferred aspirant as the APC candidate in the forthcoming local government council election in Ovia South West Local Government Area.

In a petition signed by one Collins Edionhon on behalf of Ovia South-West Concerned Stakeholders, and addressed to the chairman of APC in the state, the group said they were forced to send a “strong protest over the imposition of the driver to the wife of the Deputy Governor as the chairmanship candidate.”

The Concerned Ovia South-West Stakeholders reminded Edo APC “…that the party lost the 2023 governorship election in Ovia South-West due to high-handedness and the “one-man show” constantly perpetuated by the Deputy Governor.

The group warns that, if the lack of engagement and consultation is allowed to stand, it will dampen the morale of the people of Ovia South-West and weaken their support for the governor Okpebholo’s promise to deliver the 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

The petition titled—Strong Protest Against the Imposition of a Chairmanship Candidate in Ovia South-West Local Government Area for the Forthcoming Local Government Elections, reads:

“We, the concerned stakeholders of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, write to formally express our deep concern and strong protest over the imposition of the driver to the wife of the Deputy Governor as the chairmanship candidate of our great party for the forthcoming local government elections.

“The All Progressives Congress has always stood as a party founded on the principles of internal democracy, transparency, merit, and fairness.

“It is therefore troubling and disappointing that such a decision, which appears to disregard due process, consultation with party stakeholders, and the will of grassroots members, is being allowed to stand.

“We are aware that the party lost the 2023 governorship election in Ovia South-West due to high-handedness and the ‘one-man show’ constantly perpetuated by the deputy governor.

“The alleged imposition of a candidate who is barely known by the people, and whose primary qualification appears to be his proximity to the family of the deputy governor, raises serious concerns about fairness, credibility, and respect for party structures.

“This development risks undermining the confidence of loyal party members who have worked tirelessly to build the party and who rightfully expect a transparent and competitive process in the selection of candidates.

“Political offices, particularly at the local government level, require individuals with proven capacity, experience, community acceptance, and commitment to the ideals of the party. Bypassing credible aspirants in favor of an imposed candidate sends the wrong signal to party faithful and the electorate.

“We therefore respectfully urge the leadership of the party in Edo State to urgently review this development and ensure that the process of selecting candidates reflects the democratic values and principles for which our party stands.”

The angry group stressed that, “A transparent and fair process will not only preserve the integrity of the party but also strengthen our chances of success in the elections.”

The Concerned Ovia South-West Stakeholders warned that “if the continued lack of engagement and consultation is allowed to stand, it will dampen the morale of the people of Ovia South-West and weaken their support for the Governor’s efforts to deliver the projected 2.5 million votes for the President in the 2027 elections.

“Our party must remain a platform where loyalty, competence, and commitment are rewarded, rather than a structure where personal influence overrides collective interest.”

Efforts to get reactions from the Deputy Governor, Mr. Dennis Idahosa failed as calls to his phone were unanswered.