Things may be falling apart in the Edo State chapter of the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) as some chieftains and foundation members of the party have cried out over being shut out of a leaders’ meeting hosted by a former governor of the state, John Odigie-Oyegun on Monday at his GRA residence.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that among those excluded from the meeting were former Senate Chief Whip, Rowland Owie; one of the founders and financiers of the party in the state, Sunny Aguebor; and a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) Douglas Iyike.
It was gathered that the aggrieved leaders had arrived Odigie-Oyegun’s residence on getting wind of the meeting only to be shown a list indicating that they were not expected as their names were conspicuously missing.
Infuriated by the development, they reportedly took over the entrance to the house until a unit of police officers said to have been sent from the State Command came and talked to them and they left.
Addressing journalists, Owie called on the National Leadership of the ADC to call Odigie-Oyegun to order.
He explained that “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. As a matter of fact, the senatorial meeting was supposed to have been called up to four or five times, he stopped it; he will postpone it.
“As we are talking, we have been everywhere in this state, especially here in Edo South where we are right now raising members for the party. Ask him how many people he has attracted to this party.
“We are telling the National leadership of the party that enough is enough of John Oyegun. This was how he was as the National Chairman of the APC and he was removed with ease. Enough is enough. He cannot disrespect those who are building the party.”
When contacted, Odigie-Oyegun said he was still at the leadership meeting of the party and would speak on the issues later.
