Concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, have scolded the party’s state chairman, Jarret Tenebe overa statement credited to him that the party will “reward” those who contested the 2023 chairmanship election under former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s with automatic ticket in the forthcoming local government polls.
They described the statement as reckless, divisive and capable of undermining the collective will of the great party, saying the duty of the state chairman is to provide leadership in line with the APC constitution and not arrogating to himself powers that clearly do not belong to his office.
In a statement by their convener, Abdullahi Abubakar, the stakeholders called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to immediately call Tenebe to order before his overbearing attitude causes unnecessary division and disaffection within the ranks of the party.
“It is important to set the record straight: at no point in the history of our party in Edo state, including during the tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki, was the state chairman vested with the authority to unilaterally determine who gets the ticket of our party at the local government level.
“Such decisions remain the prerogative of the Governor, as leader of the party in the state, working in synergy with the various local government leaders and stakeholders.
“We cannot have two governors in one state. It is the Governor and the party leaders who have the prerogative power to decide who gets the party’s ticket, not the state chairman.
“Our great party, the APC, must not be seen as one that rewards political mercenaries or disregards the structures and leaders at the grassroots. Local government elections are too important to be treated with levity or personal interest. Every genuine party member who has labored for the success of the APC in Edo deserves a fair and transparent process, not the imposition of individuals through the backdoor.
“The Edo APC concern stakeholders hereby reaffirm our commitment to a united, disciplined, and winning APC in Edo state. We urge all members to remain vigilant, focused, and committed to the ideals of our party and the transformation agenda of our Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo as we prepare for the forthcoming local government elections,”they added.
