Crisis rocks APC in Edo Central Senatorial zone over choice of leader

AGENE GODWIN Benin

CRISIS is brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central Senatorial District over the choice of a leader who will be the rallying point for party faithful in the area.

However, when contacted for his reaction to the simmering crisis, the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Anslem Ojeazua, said that the position of a senatorial leader was unknown to the party and thus, unconstitutional.

He said, “the invitation to the party by Mr Henry Okoror was supposed to be an end of year party and the briefing of party members. That was the impression. Nobody told us that we were going to discuss the issue of party leadership for the zone.

“The position taken by some members in favour of a particular person as a leader has the potential of dividing the party. That is why the party did not hold and most of those who were supposed to be there were not there,” he said.

Meanwhile, an end of year party hosted by the Vice – Chairman of Edo Central Senatorial zone, Mr Henry Okoror, at Uromi in Esan North East local government area of the state ended in chaos as most of the leaders in attendance walked away when the issue of who should be the senatorial leader came up.

Before this development, several speakers including the party’s local government chairmen spoke of the need for the senatorial zone to have a leader who will be the rallying point and through who government development to Esanland can be attracted.

Trouble began when the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Ojeazua snatched the microphone from a former Commissioner in the state and deputy Chief of Staff to ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole, Ken Ihensekhien who had moved a motion nominating Chief Francis Inegbineki as the senatorial leader of the party in the zone.

The state chairman said he was opposed to the issue of having a senatorial leader for the zone and this did not go down well with the youths. Some party men and women leaders, however, insisted that the issue of the leader must be settled once and for all.

The youths then locked the gate to ensure that nobody left the venue of the party and thereafter, the youth leader from Esan Central Local government, Mr Anthony Ibhafidon seconded the motion moved by Ihensekhien nominating Chief Inegbineki as the leader which was greeted with loud applause.

Following this development, most of the party members walked out and refused to eat the food or drink the alcoholic beverages that the host provided.