Trouble is boiling in Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
State Chairman Emperor Jarret Tenebe is under fire for allegedly blocking popular aspirants from buying nomination forms while handpicking incumbents who “massively induced him” with cash, cars, and other gifts.
The crisis threatens to tear the party apart ahead of 2027, with insiders warning of a “catastrophic implosion” if Tenebe isn’t reined in.
Sources at the Edo APC secretariat say Tenebe has refused to sell Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to several aspirants eyeing the 24 Edo State House of Assembly seats. Primaries are set for later this month.
Incumbent lawmakers desperate to return, despite “losing favour with their constituents,” have allegedly compromised the chairman.
Tenebe is accused of tearing up ward rotation deals and single-handed endorsing sitting members after receiving “huge sums, car gifts and other incentives.”
To frustrate rivals, he’s resorted to “open threats and outright refusal” to grant access to forms. Some aspirants only secured forms after protests and intervention from APC’s National Secretariat.
“Emperor Tenebe has still refused to let go as he has threatened to disenfranchise the aspirants who were not endorsed by him,” one source said.
Party members claim Tenebe is also “manipulating” Governor Monday Okpebholo, the state leader, who “it seems has abdicated his leadership role to Tenebe.”
Stakeholders warn Tenebe’s “cash and carry” and “position for the highest bidder” approach could wreck the party they “laboured to build.”
“The rule is clear, every aspirant is entitled to be heard as a process of consensus, where a consensus is not achieved, a fair primary election will be conducted,” a party member said.
Another aspirant cautioned: “If the corruption at the State leadership of the Party is not tamed, it could lead to unexpected outcomes.”
Concerned members are begging Okpebholo and party elders to intervene and guarantee a level play field. Without it, they say, Edo APC faces a meltdown it may not survive.
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