Aguebor Dismisses Protest Over Edo South NDC Ticket, Calls for Party Unity

The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Sunny Aguebor, has dismissed protests by some aggrieved party members over his emergence, insisting that internal disagreements should not be allowed to derail the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Aguebor’s position was conveyed in a press statement issued by the Chief Strategist of Bibi for Senate 2027, Dr. Daniel Moses, who described attempts to portray the candidate’s emergence as an imposition as unfair and politically motivated.

According to the statement, while dissent and competition are natural in every democratic process, they should not be allowed to degenerate into what it described as “deliberate distortion” capable of undermining the larger objective of providing effective representation for Edo South.

The statement noted that Aguebor, popularly known as Bibi, is a long-standing opposition figure, businessman and philanthropist who has remained actively involved in the political development of Edo South over the years.

It added that the senatorial candidate had consistently supported party structures and grassroots mobilisation, recalling that he sponsored candidates under the Labour Party in 2011 and also backed aspirants under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2018.

“This history matters because leadership is not only measured by who contests elections, but by who builds platforms, supports others and sustains political structures,” the statement said.

Aguebor, through the statement, maintained that no faction had the exclusive right to speak for the entire Edo South Senatorial District, stressing that the district was larger than any individual ambition or protest group.

The statement also raised concerns over the identity and motives of some individuals behind the demonstrations, urging the party leadership to ascertain whether all those involved were genuine and registered members of the NDC.

While acknowledging the right of aggrieved members to express their concerns, Aguebor urged them to utilise established party mechanisms for reconciliation and dispute resolution rather than resorting to public confrontations.

He also cautioned against dragging the Benin Palace into partisan disputes, describing the institution of the Oba of Benin as a revered symbol of unity and cultural heritage that should be insulated from internal political disagreements.

According to the statement, the NDC should seize the moment to strengthen internal cohesion by reconciling all aspirants and stakeholders and building a united campaign structure ahead of the elections.

Aguebor further appealed to members to move beyond accusations and focus on the broader task of securing quality representation for the people of Edo South.

The statement identified infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and security as key issues requiring attention, adding that the people of the district were more interested in development than internal party conflicts.

It also acknowledged the contributions of other aspirants, including Hon. E.J. Agbonyima and Mrs. Osayuki Epelle-Asemota, describing them as important stakeholders whose voices and supporters should not be ignored.

“The enemies of NDC in Edo South will benefit from only one thing: internal division,” the statement said, urging members to embrace reconciliation and collective action in pursuit of electoral victory.