By Our Correspondent
National News – Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ohuan Ward 9 in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State staged a protest on Tuesday at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, alleging the imposition of a councillorship candidate ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.
The demonstrators, led by Mr. Sunday Erhabor, accused unnamed individuals within the party structure of attempting to replace his name with another candidate despite a prior consensus reached at the ward level.
Erhabor, who emerged as the ward’s consensus candidate, told journalists during the protest that his selection followed due process and was agreed upon by all five aspirants and key party stakeholders in Ohuan Ward 9.
According to him, the decision was reached on March 22 after consultations among party executives and leaders within the ward.
The protesters said they were shocked to learn that another candidate’s name had allegedly been submitted to the APC leadership in Edo State, a move they believe undermines internal democracy and the agreement earlier reached by party members.
Carrying placards with inscriptions demanding fairness and transparency, the group called on the party leadership to respect the consensus decision and prevent any attempt to impose a different candidate.
Speaking during the protest, Erhabor said the councillorship position was not a “do-or-die” matter for him, but insisted that any reversal of his candidacy must come from a collective decision by ward leaders rather than the action of a single individual.
He emphasised that the ward executives and party leaders had unanimously endorsed him during the March 22 meeting, and all aspirants agreed to the arrangement in the interest of party unity ahead of the local government elections in Edo State.
Responding to the concerns raised by the protesters, the Edo State APC Assistant Secretary, Mr. Sam Oboh, assured the aggrieved members that the party leadership would investigate the complaint and ensure that due process was followed.
He explained that the leadership planned to convene a meeting involving all stakeholders to address the dispute and find a peaceful resolution.
Oboh urged party members to remain calm while the issue is being reviewed, reiterating that the APC remains committed to transparency, fairness, and internal democratic processes in the selection of candidates for the upcoming council polls.
