Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Crisis of confidence has enveloped Edo Central Senatorial District of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State following the disagreement over who becomes the party leader and rally point for party faithful in the area.
The incident THISDAY learnt, occured during an end-of-year party hosted by the Vice Chairman of Edo Central Senatorial district, Henry Okoror, at Uromi in Esan North-east Local Government Area of the state.
The gathering ended in chaos as most of the leaders in attendance walked away from the party when the issue of who should be the senatorial leader came up.
Before the development, a source close to the venue but craved anonymity, said several speakers including the APC local government chairmen from the zone spoke of the need for the senatorial zone to have a leader who would be the rally point to attract government development to Esanland.
Trouble was however, said to have began when the state chairman of the party, Mr. Anslem Ojeazua, snatched the microphone from a former Commissioner in the state and deputy Chief of Staff to ex-governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Ken Ihensekhien, who had moved a motion nominating Chief Francis Inegbineki as the senatorial leader of the party in the zone.
The state chairman was quoted to have said that he was averse to the issue of having a senatorial leader for the zone which did not go down well with the youths, some men and women leaders who insisted that the issue of the leader must be settled once and for all.
At this stage, the youths reportedly locked the gate to ensure that nobody left the venue of the party and thereafter, the youth leader from Esan Central Local Government, Anthony Ibhafidon, seconded the motion moved by Ihensekhien nominating Chief Inegbineki as the leader which was greeted with a loud ovation.
Following this development, most of the party members walked out and refused to eat or consumed the drinks provided by the host.
When contacted however, Ojeazua said the position of a senatorial leader was unconstititional and at the same time unknown to the party.
Ojezua who noted that the invitation to party members by Mr. Henry Okoror was supposed to be an end of year party, briefing of party members, and not for enthrownment of a zonal leader.
“That was the impression. Nobody told us that we were going to discuss the issue of party leadership for the zone.
“The position taken by some members in favour of a particular person as a leader has the potential of dividing the party, that is why the get together did not hold and most of those who were supposed to be there were not there,” he declared.
