The All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Weppa Wanno/Uzanu zone of Etsako East Local Government Area has opposed an alleged plan by the party’s LGA chairman, Peter Okponokhe, and some executives to announce the zoning of the House of Assembly seat to North Ibie.
In an open letter addressed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and copied to the state APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, the zone accused the officials of planning to hold a meeting at the party secretariat in Agenebode on Wednesday to make the announcement without consensus.
The petition, signed by 12 party stakeholders including Prof. Marcel Okhakhu, Alh. Yahaya Ameh, Hon. Eddy Ayegbeni, Hon. Patrick Akowe, Fidelis Ipogah, Chief Emma Obozuwa, Shagari Ameh, Hon. Isah Omozuapo, Comr. John Ogun, Sunday Igenegbai, and Mallam Idris Kanabe, warned that the move would further marginalize the Agenebode zone.
“Mr. Governor Sir, you know the efforts that have been expended on this matter by you and several other stakeholders. We have met collectively and as individuals and we do not yet have a consensus on zoning,” the letter stated.
The signatories argued that it would be “the greatest mischief” for anyone to claim zoning had been decided when no agreement existed.
They noted that the APC’s guidelines allow candidates to emerge either by consensus or direct primary, and since consensus had failed, a direct primary remained the only option. They added that four aspirants—Hon. Emmanuel Akhaba, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Imafidor, Hon. Kingsley Ugabi, and Mr. Roland Igbadumeh—had already been screened and cleared.
The group urged the party to follow due process “mutatis mutandis” to avoid friction within the party. “We are party loyalists willing to abide by the rules of the game. We are not a conquered people and we are willing and ready to struggle for our rights,” they said.
The petitioners claimed they had received information that no other LGA in Edo State had written to zone the House of Assembly ticket after aspirant screening. They said supporters in Okpella, North Ibie, and Agenebode were dissatisfied with the development and would reject any move that undermined their rights.
“Etsako East belongs to Etsako East people. The way political positions stand at the moment, every zone is well represented, and any attempt to remove the House of Assembly seat from Weppa Wanno will create a major void,” the letter read.
The group called for the status quo to remain and appealed to the governor to ensure the party rules were followed so that no member felt excluded from a process meant to be open to all.
They reaffirmed their commitment to working for the party’s victory at the polls.
Weppa Wanno Rejects Alleged Zoning of Assembly Seat to North Ibie
