Concerned leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State on Monday staged a protest against the alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.
The protesters, who converged at Kings Square, Ring Road in Benin City, marched through major streets to the APC State Secretariat on Ikponkpan Road, GRA, carrying placards with various inscriptions condemning the alleged action by a party chieftain, Lucky Eghosa Imasuen.
They described the reported imposition of a non-indigene and non-party member as the party’s chairmanship candidate as unacceptable, warning that such a move could trigger internal crisis within the local government chapter of the party.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the protest leader, Lugard Iyenoma, alleged that despite having about 23 aspirants for the chairmanship position, Imasuen bypassed all of them to pick a preferred candidate, identified as Christopher Eriamatoe, whom he claimed is neither an indigene nor a registered member of the APC.
Iyenoma argued that due process would have required consultation with party leaders and stakeholders, including engaging aspirants, rather than imposing a candidate.
The protesters later submitted a petition to the State Assistant Secretary of the APC, Hon. Sam Oboh, who received it on behalf of the State Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe.
In the petition, the group expressed concern over what it described as unilateral decision-making in the party’s affairs in Ovia North-East, alleging that key political decisions, including the selection of ward and supervisory councillors, were made without consultation.
They warned that sidelining long-standing party leaders could weaken internal democracy, breed discontent among members, and undermine the party’s electoral strength.
The group also called for inclusiveness, dialogue, and respect for party structures, stressing that collective decision-making remains vital to sustaining the APC’s success in the area.
Responding, Oboh commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully, noting that protest remains a legitimate democratic tool for expressing grievances. He assured them that their concerns would be communicated to the state leadership of the party.
Earlier, the protesters had taken their grievances to the Edo State House of Assembly and the Government House, where they were received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and an aide to the Governor.
Both officials commended the group for maintaining order and urged them to channel their concerns through the party’s internal mechanisms, describing the matter as an intra-party issue that should be resolved by party leaders.