The crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated sharply, with top party figures locked in a war of words over the controversial emergence of a state chairman.
Speaking in Benin City, Senatorial Leader of the party and member of its National Executive Council (NEC), Roland Owie, accused former national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, of attempting to foist loyalists on the party in the state.
Owie insisted that the chairmanship position had been duly zoned to Edo South Senatorial District and micro-zoned to Oredo Local Government Area, a process he said produced two aspirants—Dr. Mike Ehima and Tony Alile.
According to him, a “mini primary” conducted by stakeholders saw Ehima emerge overwhelmingly with 75 votes against Alile’s four, a result he described as a true reflection of the will of party faithful.
He further maintained that the recently concluded local government congresses were largely peaceful, with consensus outcomes recorded across several councils.
However, the party chieftain alleged that Oyegun was backing an alternative candidate at the national headquarters in Abuja, warning that such moves could erode internal democracy and destabilise the party.
“He cannot function as both a national leader and the senatorial leader of the party in the state. He should choose one,” Owie declared, urging the NEC to urgently intervene and “call him to order.”
In a swift rebuttal, Oyegun distanced himself from the controversy, denying any role in the conduct of the state congress.
“I am not the state congress officer appointed by the national headquarters in Abuja to oversee the exercise. It is only the congress officer that can speak on that,” he said.
Reacting to claims by former state chairman, Kelly Odion, that no valid congress was held, Oyegun dismissed the assertion as a matter strictly between Odion and the party’s national leadership, while hinting at possible factional alignments.
As the blame game intensifies, the deepening rift has cast a shadow over the Edo ADC, raising fresh concerns about cohesion and stability within the party ahead of looming political contests.
