APC Concerned Stakeholders Charge Gov Okpebholo to Rebuild Confidence in Ovia South-West

By Editor

The crisis of imposition of aspirants as All Progressives Congress candidates to contest the forthcoming Edo State Local Government Council election, has continued to generate more protest in Ovia South West Local Government Area.

Coming on the heels of an earlier protest against the imposition of an alleged driver to the wife of Edo State Deputy Governor as the chairmanship candidate, another set of protesters have written to Governor Monday Okpebholo to ‘right the wrong’ that has been visited on them.

In their petition addressed to the governor, the Ovia South West Concerned Stakeholders explained that, what is happening in Ovia South-West goes far beyond routine political disagreements, but rather, a blatant subversion of democratic principles, and calculated hijack of the party structure, as well as a reckless abuse of power.

The group also accused the deputy governor Dennis Idahosa of imposition of a particular unpopular aspirant.

“Of particular concern is the attempt to impose Mr. Anthony Osarobo, widely known as the driver to the wife of the Deputy Governor, as the chairmanship candidate. This move is widely perceived as a clear case of political patronage and an affront to merit, competence, and grassroots democracy. It has been overwhelmingly rejected across the local government and stands as a symbol of the injustice currently plaguing the party.”

The petition titled: “The Brazen Imposition of Candidates in Ovia South-West and a Strong Demand for Immediate Corrective Action”, which is signed by three leaders—Hon. Sebastian Omorogbe, Mr. Imina George and Mr. Eloghosa Enoyuze reads:

“We, the undersigned stakeholders and committed members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, write with a deep sense of outrage, urgency, and responsibility over the disturbing and anti-democratic developments currently unfolding within our party at the grassroots.

“What is happening in Ovia South-West goes far beyond routine political disagreements. It is a blatant subversion of democratic principles, a calculated hijack of the party structure, and a reckless abuse of power that threatens the very foundation, unity, and electoral viability of the APC in the area.

“Across the wards, there is overwhelming rejection of the ongoing imposition of candidates. Party executives, youths, women, and loyal stakeholders have been deliberately sidelined, while critical decisions are being taken in secrecy and imposed without consultation, transparency, or legitimacy.

“This has generated widespread anger, deep resentment, and a dangerous level of disillusionment among party faithful.

“Even more troubling is the emerging pattern whereby every political position allocated to Ovia South-West through the office of the Deputy Governor has been blatantly personalized and handed over to domestic aides and close associates, at the direct expense of hardworking and loyal party members.

“This practice has not only eroded trust but has further reinforced the perception that merit, loyalty, and grassroots contribution no longer count within the party structure.

“Of particular concern is the attempt to impose Mr. Anthony Osarobo, widely known as the driver to the wife of the Deputy Governor, as the chairmanship candidate. This move is widely perceived as a clear case of political patronage and an affront to merit, competence, and grassroots democracy.

“It has been overwhelmingly rejected across the local government and stands as a symbol of the injustice currently plaguing the party.

“Equally troubling is the renewed effort to impose Hon. Sunday Aghedo for a fifth term in the Edo State House of Assembly. After many years in office, his representation has been widely regarded as ineffective, uninspiring, and lacking in measurable impact. Recycling such leadership, in defiance of the people’s demand for fresh, capable, and responsive representation, is both unjustifiable and deeply insensitive to the aspirations of the electorate.

“Your Excellency, it is particularly alarming that individuals who played significant roles in your emergence during the 2024 governorship primaries, as well as those perceived to be aligned with the State Chairman and State Secretary of the party, are now being systematically targeted, branded as enemies, and excluded from the political process.

“This growing culture of intimidation, victimization, and political blacklisting is divisive and dangerously undermines party unity.

“The consequences of these actions are already evident. Morale among party members has collapsed, confidence in the party structure is rapidly eroding, and many loyal supporters are becoming disenchanted. If this situation is not urgently addressed, it will inevitably lead to internal sabotage, voter apathy, and a significant weakening of the APC’s electoral strength in Ovia South-West.

“A political party cannot thrive where injustice prevails, where loyalty is punished, and where the voices of the grassroots are suppressed. The continued imposition of unpopular candidates will only deepen divisions, fracture cohesion, and erode public confidence in both the APC and your administration.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby appeal to His Excellency for his immediate intervention to halt all forms of candidate imposition in Ovia South-West.”

They are also demanding the establishment of a free, fair, and transparent selection process that reflects the true will of party members, and a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of undue influence and abuse of power in the candidate selection process.

They are demanding “…an immediate end to all forms of political victimization, exclusion, and the labeling of loyal party members as enemies.

“Mandatory consultation with grassroots stakeholders in all decisions affecting the local government.

‘”The emergence of candidates based strictly on merit, proven capacity, credibility, and genuine grassroots acceptance.’

The Ovia South West APC Stakeholders therefore called on Governor Okpebholo to act swiftly to prevent the repeat of 2024 governorship election, when the APC lost to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ovia South West and Ovia North East Local Government Areas.

when ccontacted, the man in the eye of storm—Dennis Idahosa declined comments through his Chief Press Secretary.