Politics

Edo APC: Crisis threatens Oshiomhole’s battle against estranged Godson, Obaseki

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

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Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, is poised to confront his former godson, Godwin Obaseki, in the struggle for the control of the state’s political machinery.

However, the unfolding drama surrounding the primary election in the state may thwart Mr Oshiomhole’s plans in the latest supremacy battle with Obaseki.

Recall that the APC held a primary election to select the APC governorship candidate for the September election.

However, the primary has produced three candidates as different groups declared separate candidates – namely, Dennis Idahosa, Anamero Dekeri, and Monday Okpebholo.

Oshiomhole, who was outmaneuvered during the 2020 governorship election by Obaseki, endorsed Idahosa for the governorship ticket, with the support of the party’s national leadership led by Umar Ganduje and the APC governors.

Idahosa, a 43-year-old member of the House of Representatives, representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, is believed to have the backing of his former colleague in the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, the powerful Chief of Staff to the President.

Oshiomhole chose Idahosa because he is from Edo South, the senatorial district with the highest voting population in the state, despite the agitation for a power shift to Edo Central.

Idahosa hails from the same senatorial district as the incumbent governor, who is set to complete his eight-year tenure in office.

Many within the state believe that Edo South holds 60 percent of the total votes in the state, although this claim has faced challenges.

There are indications that Obaseki is supporting the former managing director of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, from Edo Central Senatorial District.

Oshiomhole is gearing up for a showdown of Edo South versus Edo Central to regain control of the state.

But the emergence of Okpebholo through a parallel primary has changed the dynamics of the permutation.

The candidate, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, is basing his aspiration on “equity and fairness” because his district is yet to produce a governor since the brief stint of Oserheimen Osunbor from 2007-2008.

Insiders within the camp of the senator told DAILY POST that several meetings were held with other aspirants in the race on the “Edo Central” agenda, with the agenda gaining the support of Ize-Iyamu.

“Senator had a meeting with Ize-Iyamu and was able to convince him on the principle of the rotation of power and the need for a shift to Edo Central to get the opportunity,” Rafat Abdulkareem, one of the associates of Okpebholo, stated.

She said many of the old associates of Oshiomhole also backed the candidacy of the Edo Central lawmaker because they are concerned about the possibility of Edo South having 16 years in power.

Facing a Rivers Experience
Aside from the political permutations, the party may experience a situation similar to the 2019 Rivers State, where the APC was banned from presenting candidates for any election following post-primary election litigation.

Anticipating a situation like Rivers, the National Working Committee of the party invalidated the pronouncement of Idahosa as the candidate and also removed Governor Hope Uzodinma as the chairman of the primary election Committee.

Insiders told DAILY POST that the party was trying to prevent the occurrence of situations like Rivers and Zamfara states with the series of actions taken so far.

It was learnt that Oshiomhole still sees Idahosa as the only pathway to winning the governorship election because Edo Central has very few votes.

The former governor is banking on using Idahosa to deliver Edo South to complement the votes from Edo North, a stronghold of the APC.

While the NWC was meeting, Oshiomhole met with President Bola Tinubu, and after the meeting, he told journalists that the president did not insist on rotation, using Kogi and Benue as examples.

Today, Thursday, the party will be concluding the primary, and the outcome may decide if it’s going to be a proxy war between Oshiomole and Obaseki.

Politics

Full List: Ex-PDP Chairman Solomon Arenyeka Emerges APC Delta Chairman As Oborevwori Drops 2027 Marching Order

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has elected Chief Solomon Arenyeka, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, as its new State Chairman, following a consensus State Congress held Tuesday at the Cenotaph in Asaba.

Arenyeka’s emergence marks the culmination of a major political realignment that began in April 2025, when he led thousands of his supporters across the state to defect from the PDP to the APC, citing the need to align Delta State with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s renewed vision for Nigeria.

Below is the complete list of executives elected at the state congress:

Position	Name
State Chairman	Chief Solomon Arenyeka
Deputy Chairman	Elder Moses Iduh
State Secretary	Chief Efe Uko
Delta Central Chairman	Chief Paulinus Akpeki
Delta South Chairman	Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba
Delta North Chairman	Engr. Daniel Ossai
State Organising Secretary	Elder Emmanuel Egbabor
State Publicity Secretary	Barr. Valentine Onojeghuo
State Woman Leader	Mrs. Ifeyinwa Sobotie
State Youth Leader	Christopher Agali
State Legal Adviser	Barr. John Ochala
State Treasurer	Chief Mrs. Grace Ojobo
State Financial Secretary	Mr. Kelvin Omokri
State Auditor	Chief Tony Odibo
State Welfare Secretary	Hon. Mary Emakpor
State Assistant Secretary	Mr. Paulinus Ominini
State Assistant Organising Secretary (x2)	Chief Jude Ofili, Mrs. Esther Okpako
State Assistant Publicity Secretary (x2)	Mr. Emma Arubi, Mr. Peter Okagbare
State Assistant Woman Leader (x3)	Chief Mrs. Alice Uduaghan, Mrs. Felicia Akpoveta, Mrs. Rose Oghenesivbe
State Assistant Youth Leader (x3)	Comrade Oghenekaro Oghenekevwe, Mr. Efe Okpara, Miss Precious Efe
State Ex-Officio (x6)	Chief Joseph Otuh, Chief Paulinus Akpor, Elder Sam Akpoveta, Hon. Michael Diden, Chief Mrs. Cecilia Aboh, Mr. Godwin Etumah

The congress was presided over by the State Congress Electoral Committee chaired by Engr. Vita Abba, who declared the new executive elected after delegates affirmed the consensus candidates.

“The affirmation process was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines,” Abba said.

Before the election, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, moved a motion for the dissolution of the outgone State Working Committee led by Elder Omeni Sobotie. The motion was seconded by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and unanimously adopted by delegates.

Addressing party faithful after the inauguration, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori charged the new executive to begin immediate preparations for what he termed “total victory” in the 2027 general elections.

“Our mission is unequivocal. We must secure victory at every level – the Presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governorship and the State House of Assembly,” Oborevwori declared.

The governor expressed confidence that Delta APC would deliver massive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all party candidates in the next electoral cycle.

He commended the peaceful conduct of congresses across the state’s 270 wards, 25 local government areas, describing it as a testament to the party’s internal democracy.

“There was no imposition. What we witnessed is broad consultation, agreement and inclusiveness. This structure belongs to all of us,” he stated.

Arenyeka’s emergence as APC State Chairman is significant given his political history. Until April 2025, he served as a prominent leader in the PDP, the party that has dominated Delta State politics for decades.

His defection, along with thousands of supporters across the state, was widely seen as a game-changer for APC’s fortunes in the traditionally PDP stronghold.

Political analysts note that placing a former opposition party chairman at the helm of the APC in Delta sends a strong signal about the party’s intent to compete seriously in 2027.

Immediate past State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, urged the new leadership to lead with humility and collective purpose.

Politics

Edo APC Reelects Tenebe, 35 Others into State Exco

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

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The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Edo State has reelected Emperor Jarret Tenebe as chairman to run the party for another four-year term.

Also reelected in a consensus party congress are Deputy Chairman Sylvester Aigbogbor, State Secretary Lawrence Okah, and other members of the immediate past executive.

Inaugurating the new 36-man EXCO, the Chairman of the National Congress Committee, Hon. Kabiru Ajana, said the committee was mandated to conduct elections into the 36 vacant APC executive positions in Edo State.

According to him, the exercise demonstrated unity within the party, as all 36 positions were returned unopposed after the screening process, with no appeals received.

Ajana, who presided over the congress, commended Governor Okpebholo for fostering unity within the Edo APC and urged other states to emulate the example.

In his acceptance speech, Tenebe said the re-elected executive had formally endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Okpebholo for second terms, noting that both leaders have demonstrated strong performance and improved the lives of Nigerians and Edo residents.

Citing what he described as quality representation, Tenebe also announced the endorsement of former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, for a second term in the Senate.

He commended delegates for their trust and overwhelming confidence in the executive, pledging that the team would pilot the affairs of the party to greater heights.

Tenebe also thanked party faithful for their unwavering support, which he said helped the party weather challenging periods and remain united.

Tenebe noted that the period coincides with the implementation of Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which he described as a transformational blueprint aimed at repositioning Edo State for sustainable development.

He maintained that the APC remains fully committed to supporting the successful implementation of the agenda.

Also speaking, Oshiomhole thanked delegates for re-electing the Tenebe-led executive, describing the exercise as seamless and symbolic of party unity in Edo State.

“ I thank all the delegates for a seamless exercise which symbolizes the unity of the party in Edo State. This unity makes a bold statement about the leadership of Governor Okpebholo. We celebrate the governor for the unity in the party,” he said.

Other dignitaries at the state congress included Minister for Regional Development Abubakar Momoh; the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor; and other top party leaders and members.

Politics

Now We Lost All Our Lawmakers – Former LP Organising Secretary Laments Party’s Collapse

Published

6 days ago

March 1, 2026

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A former National Organising Secretary (NOS) of the Labour Party (LP), Clement Ojukwu, has lamented over the effect of court cases brought against the party since the 2023 general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, he expressed disappointment that several legal cases brought against the party since the 2023 general elections have impacted the party’s performance.

Ojukwu, who has recently returned to the interim National Working Committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, said that the party had elected 34 members to the House of Representatives, eight Senators, and 80 members to the state Houses of Assembly after the 2023 general elections.

“Now we lost all of them. I don’t think we have as many as five members in the National Assembly,” he said.

The former LP NOS said he chose to join the caretaker committee led by Nenadi because they are now the officially recognised leaders of the Labour Party.

He said, “I chose to work with the caretaker committee to help save the Labour Party, for the benefit of the party. I also want to use this chance to ask my colleagues at the national, state, and local government levels to come together and help rebuild our party.

“Another election is around the corner. We lost everything we have. They have left to other political parties. So I’ll reach out to all my friends in the other group to get together and work on making this party stronger again.

“The caretaker committee has formed a reconciliation committee. Let’s come together and talk so that we can restore the first opposition political party in Nigeria.”

Ojukwu, who was part of Julius Abure’s group, said there are no more factions in the Labour Party.

He added, “There is a court ruling, and since it is valid, the right people are in the correct positions.”

He urged Abure and others to drop the legal cases they have filed because they are not helping the party.

“Litigations are killing political parties. He said they’ve seen many political parties disappear because of legal battles, and the Labour Party is losing support every day, which makes him feel sad,” he said.

Ojukwu said he did not think joining Senator Usman’s NWC was a betrayal of the Abure group.

He called himself “the oxygen of that particular faction.”

“I’m with this group because of the verdict. But I never betrayed anybody. Rather, I was betrayed,” he added.