Benin City — A fresh crisis has erupted in the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after several party leaders were reportedly barred from attending a meeting convened at the residence of the party’s National Leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Among those allegedly shut out were former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie; one of the founders and financiers of the party in Edo State, Sunny Aguebor; and Douglas Iyike, a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), alongside other party stakeholders.
It was gathered that Odigie-Oyegun scheduled the meeting at his Benin City residence. However, when some party members arrived at the venue, they were reportedly presented with a list of invited attendees, from which several prominent leaders were excluded.
The development reportedly angered the affected members, who were said to have protested at the entrance of Odigie-Oyegun’s residence. The situation was later brought under control after police officers from the Edo State Command intervened and persuaded the aggrieved members to disperse.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Owie accused Odigie-Oyegun of sidelining statutory and founding members of the party while allegedly engaging non-members.
“We that are here are founding members of the ADC. We are supposed to have a meeting today. Chief John Oyegun, who has not done anything to support the party in this state, is calling non-members to a meeting and excluding those who are statutory members,” Owie said.
He further alleged that planned senatorial meetings had been repeatedly postponed at Odigie-Oyegun’s instance, adding that party leaders had been working across the state, particularly in Edo South, to mobilize new members.
“As we are talking, we have been everywhere in this state raising members for the party. Ask him how many people he has attracted to this party,” Owie stated.
Calling on the ADC’s national leadership to intervene, Owie said, “Enough is enough of John Oyegun. This was how he was as the National Chairman of the APC and he was removed with ease. He cannot disrespect those who are building the party.”
When contacted for his reaction, Odigie-Oyegun said he was still attending a leadership meeting and would respond to the allegations after its conclusion.
Credit: Vanguard
