West*
By DADA AYOKHAI
Former Chief of Staff to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Gani Audu, returned to the news after his former personal assistant, Tijani Isa, was nominated as the APC vice chairmanship candidate for Etsako West LGA.
The APC in Etsako West appears to have finalized a zoning formula for the July local government election: Romeo Omoike from the Uzairue axis as chairmanship candidate, Tijani Isa from Agbede in “Club 3” as running mate, and the Auchi axis to produce the Secretary to the Local Government.
Popularly known as “TJ,” Tijani has been steadily groomed for leadership and is set to become vice chairman by July.
He is a trained public health communicator from the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN.
His activism began at Auchi Polytechnic, where he served as Assistant Secretary of the Etsako Students Union, former President of the Ayuele Students Association and one-time National Director of Welfare for NASTES.
In politics, he has served as Ayuele Clan Publicity Secretary, and as Financial Secretary and Organizing Secretary of the APC in Etsako West LGA.
He was Senior Special Assistant on Security and later on Health to the Speaker, Personal Assistant to Hon. Gani Audu, and SSA to the Governor of Edo State.
During the 2024 Edo governorship election, he was Campaign Coordinator and Collation Officer for Ward 7, Ayuele Clan. He has also served as returning officer in several party primaries.
Party insiders say Tijani’s knowledge of the political terrain and wide acceptability make him a strong asset to the Romeo Omoike ticket, describing the duo as a “utility team.”
Audu’s Ex-Aide Tijani Picked as APC Vice Chairmanship Candidate in Etsako
