By DADA AYOKHAI
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan West Local Government Area has held an enlarged meeting where it outlined the proper process for the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, to formally join the party.
The Speaker had earlier claimed to be an APC member, having reportedly defected in Benin at an elaborate ceremony attended by Governor Monday Okpebholo and other party functionaries.
Recently, however, the Speaker embarked on a series of political engagements to retain his Assembly seat for a third term.
This sparked a clash with the APC leadership in Owan West, who insist he is yet to formally become a member of the party at the local government level.
The enlarged meeting, held at the party secretariat in Sabongidda-Ora, headquarters of Owan West LGA, resolved and formally outlined criteria the Speaker must fulfill before aspiring on the party’s platform ahead of the primaries.
The meeting resolved that the Speaker must formally defect at his ward and LGA, integrate into the party structure, apologize to persons he allegedly brutalized during the last governorship poll, and respect the party’s leadership.
The meeting further resolved that upon fulfillment of these conditions, the Speaker may be formally integrated into the party and allowed to join other aspirants to contest for the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) ticket for a third term.
The leadership also reaffirmed that no aspirant will be endorsed, in line with the Party Constitution. It took a strong stance against any form of external interference in the affairs of the local government chapter.
The party reiterated its commitment to strengthening the APC to secure victory in future elections, including contributing to the 3.5 million votes target for the President.
The meeting further commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his developmental strides across the three senatorial districts of Edo State.
The meeting was well attended by key stakeholders of the party, including:
The LGA Party Chairman and Secretary, Hon. Frank David and Evien Aigbokhai
Former Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Abolagba
All 11 Ward Chairmen
All 11 Ward Women Leaders
All 11 Ward Youth Leaders
All 11 Ward Organising Secretaries
All 22 ward leaders.
Also in attendance were: Hon. McDonald Obasuke, Barr. George Ohioma (Amani), former Owan West Chairman Hon. Frank Ilaboya, former Local Government Party Chairman Luggard Alukpe, Steven Imoukhuede, Comrade Alaba Ogedengbe, Engr. Austine Ifijeh, Atafo Gold, among others.
