Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, are embroiled in controversy over the nomination of commissioner-candidates from the region.
In a protest letter dated November 21, 2024, and addressed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, through the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Musa Umar Ikhilor, party leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the list of nominees.
They claimed the list does not reflect the five kingdoms that make up the local government.
The petition, titled “Re: Nomination of Five Names from Esan West Local Government”, was signed by party leaders from the ten wards of Esan West. It highlighted that the local government consists of Ekpoma, Idoa, Ogwa, Ujogba, and Egoro kingdoms, yet the nominees are predominantly from Ekpoma.
The petitioners alleged that the nomination process was solely influenced by former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker and ex-APC State Chairman, Mr. Thomas Okosun, and former APC State Chairman, Mr. David Imuse.
They claimed the two acted without consulting the local government’s APC leadership, a practice followed in other local governments.
Signatories of the petition include Chief Edwin Ogieriakhi, Chief Saturday Ogbeide, Hon. Abu Momodu, Mr. Visly Udaze, Chief Festus Ozoba, Mr. Wesley Oran, Mr. Sam Akhigbe, Chief Ikpea Ojie, Joe Aise Aisdion, and Hon. Monday Ehighawa.
The petitioners further alleged that two of the nominees were selected based on personal affiliations. They identified one nominee as Mrs. Ogbidi, the wife of the local APC chairman, and another as Pastor Odigie, reportedly a pastor in Okosun’s church.
The party leaders noted that the selection deviates from the traditional practice of nominating one person from each kingdom, which they argued ensures fairness and inclusion across Ekpoma, Idoa, Ogwa, Ujogba, and Egoro.
“We, the concerned leaders of Esan West Local Government, wish to register our protest against the list of commissioner nominees from Esan West,” the petition read.
“Firstly, the nomination was done by Mr. Thomas Okosun and Mr. Imuse without consulting the leadership of the local government as was done in other local governments.
“Secondly, the list is made up of their relations and friends. For example, Mrs. Ogbidi is the wife of the party chairman, and Pastor Odigie is Mr. Okosun’s church pastor.
“Also, the selection did not reflect the spread in the local government, as Esan West is made up of five kingdoms. All the nominees are from Ekpoma kingdom,” it added.
The leaders warned that the nominations could lead to division within the APC in Esan West and urged Governor Okpebholo to discard the list in the interest of justice and equity.
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