The Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is at the moment embroiled in leadership tussle over who takes over from the current Leader of the party in the area, Rev. Peter Obadan.
Rev. Ibadan, a former deputy governor of the state, was said to have tacitly endorsed a successor, following his intention to minimise his involvement in politics.
That decision, Nigerian Tribune gathered, irked the supporters of the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, who felt that being the highest ranking political officer in the area, should become the next leader or anybody he nominated.
It was further gathered that Rev Obadan had shortly after the victory of the APC in the last gubernatorial elections, told party stakeholders during an enlarged meeting of his willingness to handover the leadership of the party to a younger man, Lucky Ohimai popularly called Tarex who was said to have been instrumental to the victory of the APC.
But some ward leaders in the local government who were said to be loyal to Ihonbvere met recently to strategise on how to ease out the long-serving Rev. Obadan and replace him with their nominee, Dele Ogunleye.
In a communiqué endorsed by Mr. S. I. Akhigbe and 15 others, it was said that a motion for the replacement of Obadan was moved and unanimously adopted at the meeting.
The choice of Ogunleye and attempt to alter the leadership status met stiff opposition and condemnation from another leadership group in the local government who opted for the maintenance of the status quo or if a change must be effected, it should be Ohimai.
The Leadership Group said to be opposed to the choice of Ogunleye include the Owan West APC Chairman, Frank David, Ojo Asein, the LGA Youth Leader, Chief Odion Omogbai, Reginald Okun, Enahoro Aikpokpo and several others.
The leadership of the group called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to give recognition to the Ohimai caucus following the latter’s unwavering support and immeasurable efforts towards his victory at the September 21st Edo State governorship election.
They said before Ohimai came on board, to actively participate in politics of Owan West, the APC in the local government could best be described as a rudderless ship, as the party clearly lacked the wherewithal, strength and focus to prevail in a contest over the now opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), who had the well-entrenched presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku in its fold.
“We don’t need to debate this issue at all. APC was crawling until Tarex came and with his support we won the last election. Rev Obadan only said the obvious in his speech after the governorship election,” one of the leaders told Vanguard.
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