Attempt by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Igbanke in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State to present a consensus Candidate for Orhionmwon East constituency position in the State house of Assembly, ahead of the 2023 general elections, on Wednesday suffered a major setback.

The current aspirants from Igbanke vying for the seat which was last occupied by an Igbanke indigene in 1992 by Mr. Dele Igbinedion are Mr. Chris Iweka, a former Councillor and Local Government Area vice Chairman, Mr. Douglas Baye-Osagie, senior Legislative Aide in the National Assembly, Prince Lucky Igbinedion, a former senior Special assistant to the State Governor. Igbinedion’s elder brother was the last occupant from Igbanke.

It was gathered that the three contenders in the race failed to step down for one another for the consensus arrangement.

It was learnt that the table of negotiation collapsed, following the failure of aspirants and leaders across Igbanke East and Igbanke West failed to arrive at a consensus Candidate for the position in the constituency that is made up of six Wards.

On Wednesday’s meeting held at Igbanke became expedient to position Igbanke APC favourably as a united house before the other 4 Wards that make up Orhionmwon East State Constituency, Edo State.

The meeting was presided over by the ward chairmen from both Igbanke West and Igbanke East Wards, Mr. Isaac Usiagwu and Mr. Victor Eluehike and ten selected leaders from each Ward who gathered to reach a consensus on the Candidate for Igbanke who will be presented to the leaders of the party in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.

The meeting started peacefully. Thereafter, the various aspirants took turn to address the leaders and responded to pertinent questions from the leaders on how they intend to carryout their task if given the mandate.

The devil was said to have crept into the details, after certain interest group meeting opted for an open secret ballot when they discovered that the process was not credible.

Subsequently, aggrieved leaders at the meeting staged a walk out,leading to a stalemate.

Briefing journalists, Mr. Isaac Usiagwu, APC Chairman, Igbanke East, said a decision would be taken after leaders of the party in Orhionmwon have been briefed about the outcome of the meeting.

But Chris Iweka and Mr. Douglas Baye-Osagie unanimously rejected the exercise over alleged compromise by a certain interest group.

Both aspirants did not accede to the consensus arrangement which they claimed failed integrity test, while Igbinedion made a futile attempts to take wind from the sail.

One of the leaders, from APC Ward 12, Prince Jegbefumen Celestine, stated that there is no cause for alarm, adding that the winner of the
party’s primary would carry the day.

Mr. Douglas Baye-Osagie expressed concerns over the use of consensus as against direct or indirect Primaries to arrive at the selection of Candidates for the 2023 general elections, adding that will likely encourage political moneybags to circumvent the process of internal democracy.

Hr said: “I believe a few party members who are highly regarded and respected leaders should consult widely and listen to the views of other members of the party who share equal stakes as party members.

“Poor consultations and interactions with the voting population before arriving at a consensus might throw up unpopular Candidates who lack the goodwill and popularity to win elections”.

 46 total views