Reports reaching Midwest Herald, the World-Wide Acclaimed Community Newspaper, indicates that thugs allegedly sponsored by forces loyal to former Deputy Governor, Mr. Pius Odubu have sacked members of Edo People Movement that were gathered in the premises of Mr. Lucky Imasuen to pick a consensus candidate to confront the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki.
Today’s ugly incident is the culmination of weeks of zealous planning by camps of four major contenders under the All Progressives Congress National chairman, Mr. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.
Event heightened in the last 24 hours when loyalists to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu fine tuned plans to secure the endorsement of EPM leaders that were handpicked with the approval of Me. Oshiomhole.
Unconfirmed reports points to heavy financial inducement by two of the aspirants. Midwest Herald is unable to confirm at the moment the why the so-called family political meeting will degenerate into an open fight.
Those that spoke to Midwest Herald questioned the modalities that the APC national chairman used in selecting the ‘delegate’ list. They also openly chanted – “No Odubu no election.”
It will be recalled that Midwest Herald had reported in our last report that one of the aspirants, Gen Charles Airhiavbere dismissed the prospect of Ize-Iyamu as inconsequential.
Airhiavbere told the News Agency of Nigeria that, Ize-Iyamu had been out of the APC before deciding to return to the party recently.
He added that Ize-Iyamu was “merely re-establishing his membership in the APC.
“…We have been here. We started the Edo State People’s Movement, which will be a year older in a few days.
“Pius Odubu, Chris Ogiemwonyi and myself founded the Help Edo Remove Obaseki Coalition. So we believe that anybody coming in is to strengthen the coalition.
“We expect that more aspirants will still come to join the race before the primaries are expected to be conducted between June 2 and June 27.” The retired military officer said.
Airhiavbere pointed out that he was the first of five candidates to declare his interest to challenge the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki for the APC ticket.
An unverified list containing some names that that were invited for today’s meeting in possession of Midwest Herald shows frontline members of the disbanded EPM. The invitees cut across the three Senatorial District.
Prominent names on the.list includes, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Mr. Col David Imuse, Mr. Thomas Okosun, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale and Mr. Benson Edosomwan.
Also listed are: Mr. Lawrence Okah, Patrick Obahiagbon, Mr. Samson Esemuede, Mr. Osakpamwan Eriyo and host, Mr. Lucky Imasuen.
“APRIL 30th MEETING IN BENIN”
EDO CENTRAL
ESAN WEST LGA
- Col David Imuse
- Rt. Hon Thomas Okosun
ESAN NORTH EAST
- Mrs Betty Okoeboh
- Hon Adima
ESAN CENTRAL
- Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe
- Chief Francis Inegbeneki
- Hon Patrick Ikhariale
EDHA
RT. Hon. Victor Edoror
ESAN SOUTH EAST
- Mr. Philip Iyanaboh
- Barr Oyedo
IGUEBEN LGA
- Hon Ken Ihensekhien
- Mr. Okhuelebe
EDO SOUTH
OVIA NE
HE. Lucky Imasuen
Mr. Benson Edosomwan
OVIA SW
Pa. Engr Evbuomwan
UHUMWODE
Hon. Samson Osagie
ORHIOMWON
Dr. Wilson Ogieva
EGOR
Barr. Henry Idahagbon
IKPOBA OKHA
Mr. Osarobo Idahosa
OREDO
Mr. Lawrence Okah
Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon
Hon. Samson Esemuede
Mr. Osakpamwan Eriyo
Mr. Tony Kabaka
EDHA
Hon. Vincent Uwadae
Hon Dumez Ugiagbe
Hon. Sunday Aghedo
Hon. Chris Okaeben
Hon. Crosby Eribo
Hon. Uyi Ekhosuehi
Hon. Washington Osifo
EDO NORTH
Akokoedo
Rt. Hon. Peter Akpatason, mni
Hon. Anselm Agbabi
Etsako East
Sen. Francis Alimikhena
Chief Malik Afegbua
Etsako Central
Hon. Johnson Oghuma
Hon. Joseph Ugheoke
Etsako West
Mr. Jim Garuba
Hon. Lucky James
Owan East
Rt. Hon. Pally Iriase
Hon. Abdul Oroh
Owan West
Prof. Julius Ijonvbere, OON
Rev. Peter Obadan
EDHA
Hon. Gani Audu
Hon. Michael Ezomo
Hon. Seid Oshiomhole
Hon. Kingsley Ugabi
Hon. Eric Okaka
Hon Ahmed Oshiomah