APC: Another Leader Resigns, Cites “Colonisation” of Edo South as Reason
By Reporter
Benin City, Edo State — A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Comrade Martins Osakue has formally resigned from the party, citing dissatisfaction with the direction of leadership in Edo South and describing the current situation as “dehumanizing” and akin to “colonisation.”
In a resignation letter addressed to the ward chairman, the party member announced his decision to leave the APC with immediate effect, recalling that his decision to join the party in 2024 was driven by a collective desire to confront what was perceived as an “existential threat” to the sociocultural identity and heritage of the Benin people.
According to the letter, leaders of the party in Edo South had given assurances of “unwavering dedication and selflessness” in addressing the declining fortunes of the Benin people, as well as a commitment to challenge both internal and external forces seen as undermining the region.
However, the former APC member said developments over the past 18 months have led to deep disappointment. “After religiously considering events in the last eighteen months, one cannot help but conclude that our people are witnessing one of the most dehumanizing and outrightly scandalous periods in our history,” the letter stated.
He further described Edo South as resembling “a conquered territory,” adding that the situation evokes memories of historical subjugation. Drawing a parallel with the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, he suggested that the region is undergoing a similar phase of domination.
The letter also criticized perceived political dynamics within the state, alleging that influence and access to governance are increasingly tied to affiliations with certain power centers outside Edo South.
It argued that responsibility for the situation lies not only with external actors but also with local leaders who, he claimed, have failed to protect the interests of the people.
Using a metaphor from ancient Rome, the resigning member accused leaders of abandoning their responsibilities, likening them to Emperor Nero “while Edo South becomes a playground of sadistic political experiments.”
Despite his criticisms, he expressed gratitude to colleagues and associates within the party, noting that his decision was not taken lightly.
He concluded by calling for a return to what he described as the foundational ideals of past Edo leaders such as Samuel Ogbemudia, Ambrose Alli, Lucky Igbinedion, Osaremen Osunbor, and Tony Anenih, urging efforts toward rebuilding a political platform that prioritizes the welfare and dignity of Edo people.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Ward 2 and Oredo Local Government Area has not issued an official response to Comrade Osakue’s resignation.
The Resignation letter reads: “I wish to inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the APC with immediate Effect.
“You would recall that when we teamed up with the APC in 2024 it was to frontally confront and remove what many of us (particularly from Edo South) saw as an existential threat to the very foundation of our sociocultural identity and heritage as a people.
“Before joining forces with the APC it is to be emphasized that we received solid assurance from the leaders of the party in EDO SOUTH of their readiness to lead with unwavering dedication and selflessness and to tackle the dwindling
fortunes of the Benin race in Edo State and Nigeria. The promise to confront both our internal and external oppressors was solemn.
“After religiously considering events in the last Eighteen Months, one cannot help but conclude that our people are witnessing one of the most dehumanizing and out rightly scandalous periods in our history as a people.
“Today Edo South is like a conquered territory. Like a commentator rightly put it, we are like a people going through another period of COLONISATION.
“Just as it was with events of 1897, we are quick to blame the emperor of Iyamho and the comptroller general and his tribal Oligachs.
“The faults lie not in Iyamho, Ekpoma, Irrua or Abuja. Neither are they resident wholly at Osadebe Avenue.
“We must look at the people who by their age and political/administrative accomplishments, we have come to refer to as o ur leaders. Like Nero of Rome they have left Edo South to become the playground of Sadistic Political Experiments by our new overlords.
“Suddenly, we are seeing that only Benins who can regularly visit the pilgrimage centers at Iyamho and Irrua are qualified to be part of Government.
“While I thank and appreciate friends and partners we worked with, permit me to say:
“It is time to go back home and contribute to the rebuilding of a platform that will see Edo and his people in the eyes of Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia, Prof. Ambrose Alli, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Prof. Osaremen Osunbor, Chief Tony Anenih etc”
Comrade Martins Osakue was a leader of the Legacy People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the joined the APC shortly before the 2024 governorship election that brought Senator Monday Okpeholo as Governor of Edo State. He is renowned for being Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama ‘Pathfinder’.
Comrade Osakue’s resignation comes less than 24 hours after Honourable EJ Agbonanyinma also resigned from the All Progressives Congress in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the State.
