Former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Crosby Osadolor Eribo, on Friday took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing it of “injustice and hypocrisy” in the aftermath of the primary elections in the state, warning of “serious electoral problems in 2027” should the party fail to address them before then.
The former Egor local government council chairman, who narrated how he was pressured to withdraw from the contest for the Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency ticket to pave way for a favoured aspirant, frowned at “the lack of a reward system” in the ruling party.
Eribo, who bared his mind on the conduct of the APC primary election, lamented that members who sacrificed and remained faithful to the party, even suffering persecution, were being ignored, while people who did not build the party were benefiting
The former lawmaker revealed that he agreed to withdraw in the interest of peace and party unity after a passionate appeal by Governor Monday Okpebholo and top party hierarchy.
According to him, the meeting was attended by the deputy governor Dennis Idahosa, APC deputy chairman, Sylvester Aigboboh, Lawrence Okah and other party leaders.
Eribo said, “I made it clear that I was not stepping down for anybody. I only withdrew because of the governor’s appeal. There is a clear difference between stepping down and withdrawing. Stepping down means your opponent is better than you, but withdrawal was done in the interest of the party’s peace.”.
Warning of a likely backlash, he believed the development could trigger voter apathy and electoral losses for the party during the 2027 general elections.
He regretted that loyal party members who made sacrifices for the APC over the years had continued to suffer neglect despite risking their lives during the party’s difficult periods.
“Where is the reward system in APC? Those of us who sacrificed, suffered persecution and stood firm for the party are being ignored, while people who did not build the party are benefiting. If APC fails to address this injustice and hypocrisy in the system, we will have serious electoral problems in 2027,” he warned.
Commenting on the rancorous Edo South Senatorial primary election, Eribo advised the APC leadership to urgently reconcile former governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and former House of Representatives member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, insisting that the dispute over the senatorial ticket picked by the latter, a relatively new comer into the APC, could destabilise the party if not properly managed before the 2027 elections.
He cautioned party leaders against undermining Ize-Iyamu, describing him as a formidable political force in Edo South.
“Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a known political factor and cannot be pushed aside. You cannot talk about Edo South politics without him. The leadership of the party must quickly settle the matter between him and Ogbeide Ihama before it escalates,” he further admonished the party.
Eribo was also saddened by perceived leadership vacuum in Edo South because of what he identified as the lack of a unifying political figure in the senatorial district, noting the inability of key leaders such as Ize-Iyamu and former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu to work together.
According to him, Edo South urgently needs a rallying point capable of mobilising party faithful ahead of future elections.
On the agitation over political marginalisation in Egor, Eribo maintained that the House of Representatives seat ought to rotate to the local government after Ikpoba-Okha had held it for over two decades.
He said although many of his supporters felt aggrieved over the outcome of the primary, he had resolved to remain in the APC, stressing that “the party remains supreme.” He however urged the leadership to embrace fairness, inclusion and reward loyalty to strengthen the party ahead of 2027.
