Hendrix Oliomogbe
A pressure group, Axis-Two Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan East local government area of Edo State, has called for an end to alleged "dictatorship" and "subversive" leadership tactics by party leaders, including Mr. Abdulganiyu Lawani and Hon. Eric Okaka.
A meeting convened last Saturday in Otuo , Owàn East local government area, to address the growing concerns over the party's management frowned at the lopsided appointments and misplaced adoptions for elective offices in the local government area.
The stakeholders accused the duo of Alhaji Lawani, fondly called Abu Millionaire and Hon. Okaka, the lawmaker representing the local government area in the House of Assembly of hijacking the party's functions.
Close party sources who pleaded anonymity accused Alhaji Lawani of unilaterally determining party patronage and appointments at all levels and blocking certain individuals from elective positions, declaring them "not vacant" even before primaries are organized by the party.
He is also accused of zoning the House of Representatives ticket to his native Warrake zone where several local, state and federal positions are domiciled, and declaring the House of Assembly seat as not vacant, sparking controversy and skirmishes among party members.
The conveners have made several demands, including upholding the joint ticket of Mr. Ernest Aitalegbe and Alaba Imooye for the upcoming local government elections and broader inclusivity in decision-making.
Engr. Owu Festus, who spoke on behalf of the other conveners, defended the actions of the stakeholders as a "struggle for truth", aimed at saving the party from internal decay and resentments that could become costly for the party at the 2027 polls if not properly managed.
The APC leadership had reportedly suspended some party members who spoke out against the attitude of Ahaji Lawani and the lawmaker, sparking controversy and skirmishes.
A party chieftain who craved for anonymity queried: "How can people hold a session to agitate their concerns only to be met with suspension without any attempt being made to discuss with them, with a view to allaying their fears?"
"What sort of desperation would warrant a sitting member of the House of Assembly to embark on an illegal mobilization of the party's executives in the two wards of Otuo to issue an overnight suspension letter on two party chieftains, without going through the party's established rules and guide in suspending ering members?"
"Were these suspended members ever summoned to appear before a committee to respond to allegations against them, if there were any? It is this type of desperate attitude and illegality that leads to internal disconnect in a party thereby allowing the opposition to leverage on such avoidable loopholes created."
"This boisterous and dictatorial attitude is unacceptable, especially in an election year where all hands are expected to be on deck."
Engr. Owoh therefore appealed to party members to weigh their actions on the "scale of truth" and work towards a more unified Owan East APC.
The conveners advised sincere members of the party to remain undaunted in the face of persecution being unleashed by those that have become known for their merchandising attitude in politics, where the highest bidders are given offices to occupy, even when such individuals do not possess notable leadership qualities and capacity.
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