By DADA AYOKHAI
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, has come under scrutiny over comments on criteria for aspirants seeking to contest under the party in the May primaries, scheduled in line with INEC’s directive.
In a television interview, Tenebe said party aspirants “should not be serial losers” — a criterion not provided for in the APC constitution or the Nigerian Constitution.
The remark is widely seen as an indirect reference to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is aspiring for the Edo South senatorial seat and has lost two previous governorship elections.
Of the three senatorial districts in the state, Edo North and Central have largely settled on their senatorial candidates, leaving Edo South still undecided.
The question now is whether Tenebe’s pronouncement reflects his personal opinion or the official position of the party.
Tenebe has made several public statements in the past without backlash from party quarters, raising questions about why this latest comment is generating tension among members.
At a recent party function attended by the governor and other party leaders, Tenebe reportedly said the state party executive “has no sense of its own and only does the bidding of the governor.” hence it’s an open secret that Tenebe only serves as the “mouthpiece of the gods” in the APC , those gods are not in anyway hidden.
During the APC state congress, he announced the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Adams Oshiomhole as the party’s sole candidates, shutting out other aspirants. There were no complaints because it was deemed the gods’ decision.
