The Edo State off‑season governorship election is scheduled for next year. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently beset by internal crises that could jeopardise its chances of defeating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), writes Adeyinka Adepide. A spate of suspensions of prominent APC members in Edo State threatens the party’s ambition of reclaiming power. After strong performances in the national and state House of Assembly elections, the party should be consolidating rather than fragmenting.
It is understandable that some members are disgruntled by the party’s poor showing in Esan Central and Uhunmwode, which gave the PDP an edge in the state House of Assembly race. However, the harsh suspensions resemble “killing an ant with a sledgehammer” and risk weakening the party before a major battle. While discipline is essential, it must be balanced with unity; cross‑carpeting to the PDP at this stage could doom the opposition.
The first suspensions occurred two days after the March 18 election, when an extraordinary meeting in Irrua, the local government headquarters, suspended eleven party leaders. Those suspended included APC state Vice Chairman Chief Francis Inegbeniki, Willy Momodu, Abudu Ugbesia, Raphael Ehimen, Godfrey Odalo, Francis Ubene, Kelvin Usifoh, Umane Isesele, Aire Ijeh and Solomon Emiohe. They were accused of meeting at a hotel on the eve of the House of Assembly election and conspiring to work against the party’s candidate, Victor Edoror, allegedly under influence from the ruling party. The meeting appointed former LGA councillor and House of Assembly aspirant Bello Oyaziwolo as acting leader pending investigation. Francis Ubene, the party’s Deputy Leader in Esan Central, was exempted because he refused to join the alleged sabotage plan, stating he had forgiven Edoror and could not work against him.
While still dealing with the March 20 suspensions, another wave hit Uhunmwode on April 2, affecting eleven members, including former two‑term House of Representatives member Simon Osagie. The executive committee of the APC’s Uhunmwode chapter, led by Osawe Osayemwenre, listed the suspended members in a letter to state chairman Col. David Imuse (retd.). The letter cited anti‑party activities, factionalisation, absenteeism and sabotage during the recent elections, and announced a three‑man disciplinary committee chaired by Prof. David Osifo.
Osagie condemned his suspension as “laughable” and a violation of Article 21 of the APC constitution and Section 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. He argued that the allegations were unfounded, highlighted his record as former Minority Whip and NEC member, and claimed his right to a fair hearing had been denied.
In response, Inegbeniki denied that any APC meeting in the Edo Central Senatorial District had decided on the suspensions. He clarified that a meeting called by the Esan Central leadership invited Edoror to defend himself; Edoror’s refusal led to his suspension pending a hearing. Inegbeniki dismissed social‑media reports of nine suspended members as “fake” and urged the public to ignore them.
Despite Inegbeniki’s defence, the APC State Working Committee ratified the Esan Central suspensions. State Publicity Secretary Peter Uwadiae said a meeting chaired by Chairman Col. David Imuse confirmed the suspensions pending the findings of a five‑member investigative committee. He stressed that party discipline is crucial for success in next year’s governorship election and explained the party’s process: suspended members are investigated, given a chance to answer allegations, and only if found guilty are further actions taken. Uwadiae warned that internal “moles” had undermined the party in the last election and that unity requires adherence to party ideals.
Uwadiae noted that the suspension of the eleven Uhunmwode members had not yet been ratified, leaving that matter unresolved.
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