Blessing Agbebaku
The endorsement of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku as the sole candidate for the Owan West constituency seat in the 2027 elections by former deputy governor Peter Obadan, is tearing apart the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and indeed the political class in the area.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that leaders of the party in Owan West local government area rejected the appeal for the endorsement of Agbebaku as the sole candidate of the party, describing him as the worst representative of the people since 1999.
They also alleged that Agbebaku, who was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not a recognised member of the APC as he was yet to register in his ward and accused him and his loyalists of harassment, intimidation and assault on APC members during the 2024 governorship election, the dust of which was yet to settle.
If allowed, Agbebaku would be seeking a third term as the local government’s representative in the state legislature.
They described Obadan’s call and action as “undemocratic, unpatriotic and laden with parochial and emotional sentiments”.
Defending his call for Agbebaku’s endorsement as the party’s sole candidate, the former deputy governor said he related well with the people and had assisted a good number of Owan children within the limit of his capacity as well as played politics of inclusiveness without fear or favour.
According to Rev. Obadan, “Blessing has kept the House of Assembly in place as never before and has related very well with the Executive and I am sure Mr. Governor is proud of him, and we are proud of him.
“Upon this premise, I call on all sons and daughters of Owan irrespective of your political associations, to join in proclaiming Agbebaku as the sole candidate from Owan West for the House of Assembly.”
The Owan West APC leaders however disagreed, declaring that the local government “has never had such a poor, abysmal and disappointing level of representation” in the history of Owan-West.
The leaders, in a statement signed by the APC Executives in the local government, said they rejected Obadan’s appeal seeking a third term bid for Agbebaku, and as the sole candidate.
The statement said, “We therefore state categorically that this appeal does not represent the position of Owan West APC Leadership and/or the collective will of the party in Owan West and must be utterly disregarded by all party faithful and stakeholders.
“As at today, Hon. Agbebaku’s actions and influence during the last Governorship Election reportedly led to the harassment, intimidation and assault of party members and loyalists in Owan West by himself and his associates. These incidents have not been addressed and have left lasting and indelible mark for the party to bear.
“As at today, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku has not formally decamped and aligned with our party structure both at his Ward and Local Government levels. Consequently, he is not recognized as a bona fide member of the party structure in Owan West.
“We therefore call on all stakeholders and the general public to disregard the appeal made by Rev. Obadan, as it lacks legitimacy and does not reflect the stance of the party in Owan West. We say a resounding NO to the endorsement of Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.”
Agbebaku however insisted that he remained a bona fide member of the APC.
