Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State have rejected Peter Obadan’s endorsement of Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, as the candidate of the party in next year’s House of Assembly election.
The Owan West APC leaders said the call and action of Rev. Obadan was undemocratic, unpatriotic and laden with parochial and emotional sentiments.
Obadan, a former Edo Deputy Governor, had called for Speaker Agbebaku to be projected as the party’s sole candidate for the election.
He said Agbebaku related well with the people and has assisted a good number of Owan children within the limit of his capacity, as well as played politics of inclusiveness without fear or favour.
“Blessing has kept the House of Assembly in place as never before and has related very well with the Executive, and I am sure Mr Governor is proud of him and we are proud of him.
“Upon this premise, I call on all sons and daughters of Owan irrespective of your political associations to join in proclaiming Agbebaku as the sole candidate from Owan West for the House of Assembly.”
But Owan West APC leaders said the local government “has never had such a poor, abysmal and disappointing level of representation in the history of Owan-West.
In a statement signed by Frank David, Owan West APC Local Government Chairman and ten other leaders said they rejected the appeal made by Rev. Obadan, seeking endorsement of Hon. Agbebaku for a third-term bid and as the sole candidate for the Edo State House of Assembly Election.
“We therefore state categorically that this appeal does not represent the position of Owan West APC Leadership and/or the collective will of the party in Owan West and must be utterly disregarded by all party faithful and stakeholders.
“As of today, Hon. Agbebaku’s actions and influence during the last Governorship Election reportedly led to the harassment, intimidation and assault of Party Members and loyalists in Owan West by himself and his associates. These incidents have not been addressed and have left a lasting and indelible mark for the party to bear
“As of today, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku has not formally decamped and aligned with our party structure both at his Ward and Local Government levels. Consequently, he is not recognised as a bona fide member of the party structure in Owan West.
“We therefore call on all stakeholders and the general public to disregard the appeal made by Rev. Obadan, as it lacks legitimacy and does not reflect the stance of the party in Owan West. We say a resounding NO to the endorsement of Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.”
Reacting, Agbebaku said he remains a bona fide member of the APC in Edo State
