Edo APC Crisis: Okpebholo Cancels APC Solidarity Rally Meant to Endorse ‘Party Choice’ Senatorial Aspirant

By Arit Mbeh

The All Progressives Congress in Edo State has cancelled a planned solidarity rally that was reportedly organised to endorse Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as the preferred aspirant ahead of the party’s senatorial primary scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.

When journalists visited Urhokpota Hall, the proposed venue for the rally, only a few party supporters were present before news emerged that the event had been called off.

The planned rally had already generated tension within the party, particularly among supporters of the other aspirants, Neda Imasuen and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who argued that such an endorsement could undermine the fairness of the primary process.

In a brief notice announcing the cancellation, Mr. Lawrence Okah stated: “Please this is to humbly inform you that the earlier scheduled solidarity rally slated for today Sunday have been canceled.”

Earlier, the party had released guidelines for the senatorial primary election. In a statement titled Notification of Party Primary and Process, the APC confirmed that the exercise would be conducted through a direct primary system across all 192 ward party secretariats in Edo State.

The notice further directed that “all card-carrying members of the party are to queue behind the party choice of aspirant.”

The reported endorsement of Engr. Ogbeide-Ihama by Monday Okpebholo has reportedly triggered dissatisfaction among some longstanding APC members. Critics within the party expressed concern over what they described as a possible attempt by elements linked to the “Legacy PDP” to dominate the APC structure, especially in Edo South.

Some aggrieved members also questioned why a preferred aspirant was being promoted while nomination forms for Senate and other elective offices were still on sale. One party leader alleged that the move was part of a broader plan to facilitate the return of former PDP members after the January elections.