A meeting of Edo South APC members at the Government House in Benin City turned chaotic on Thursday after former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen announced the endorsement of Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as the party’s senatorial candidate for 2027.
Video from the meeting, confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses, showed the crowd shouting “no” and singing derogatory songs as Imasuen spoke. The gathering, which included party members from across the district, said they opposed any attempt to impose a candidate ahead of the primaries.
Party members said this was the second time Imasuen had faced hostility from a crowd, recalling a similar incident in 2008 during an election petition tribunal sitting.
The disruption comes days before the APC is set to hold primaries for its senatorial candidates nationwide. In Edo South, many members say they oppose what they describe as the imposition of unpopular candidates.
Chants of “POI for Senate” were heard throughout the meeting, in reference to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former governorship candidate who backed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s nomination and election in 2024. Some members questioned why Okpebholo had not reciprocated that support, alleging that he was acting on directives from party leaders in Abuja.
In a statement titled _“Tinubu or Wike? Where does Governor Monday Okpebholo’s allegiance lie,”_ APC chieftain Clifford Obazuwa said it was concerning that the governor appeared to be backing Ogbeide-Ihama, who is said to be the preferred candidate of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Another party member, Austin Osaghae from Uhunmwode LGA, blamed the crisis on members of the Legacy Group, a faction that defected from the PDP. He said the governor had been pressured to abandon those who worked for the party’s victory in favor of new entrants.
Osaghae urged the party to avoid forced consensus and instead hold free and fair primaries. He warned that continued imposition of candidates could weaken the APC in Edo and jeopardize its target of delivering 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, a pledge made by Okpebholo.
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