Williams Obande Obeya, who was contesting the House of Representatives seat for the Ado‑Okpokwu‑Ogbadibo federal constituency on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, announced his withdrawal from the race just hours before the party’s scheduled primaries.
In a statement released Friday night, Obande said the decision came after “extensive consultations, deep personal reflection and prayer.” He noted that although he had earlier made a public declaration of his candidacy in Ogbadibo, further discussions with colleagues and family members convinced him not to participate in Saturday’s primary election.
Obande described his brief political journey as “deeply emotional and enlightening,” saying it brought him closer to the people of Enone and reinforced his desire to serve the constituency. Yet he added that the pursuit of elective office had taken valuable time away from his wife and children, a sacrifice he could not continue to make. He quoted Ecclesiastes 3:1 and Proverbs 19:21 to underscore his belief that the timing of his ambition no longer aligned with a higher purpose.
The aspirant also expressed concern that the upcoming primary appeared to have been predetermined, suggesting that the outcome had been decided before voting began. Despite this, Obande emphasized that he leaves the contest “with my head held high, my dignity intact and no bitterness,” thanking supporters, political allies and family for their encouragement.
While withdrawing from the immediate race, Obande reiterated his commitment to the development of Enone and indicated he will remain active in shaping the constituency’s leadership ahead of the general election. He said he hopes to serve as a “kingmaker,” helping to select a candidate who will represent the people effectively.
The abrupt exit of a high‑profile APC contender may have implications for the party’s internal dynamics in the Ado‑Okpokwu‑Ogbadibo area. Party officials have not commented on the allegations of a pre‑arranged primary result, nor have they announced a replacement candidate for the upcoming election. Observers note that the constituency, traditionally competitive, could see a reshuffling of support as remaining aspirants vie for the endorsement of Obande’s followers.
The APC is expected to proceed with the primaries as planned, though the withdrawal underscores growing tensions within party structures over candidate selection processes. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the party reconciles internal disputes and consolidates its base ahead of the broader national contests.
