Edo APC Faces Dilemma Over Choice of Running Mate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is facing a dilemma over the choice of running mate for its governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The issue has caused a split among key party stakeholders, leading to a series of meetings that have failed to reach a consensus.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a deadline of March 24 for the submission of candidates and their running mates, adding urgency to the situation.

The presidency has reportedly intervened, expressing displeasure with the way the APC national chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje, handled the governorship primary election, which created a crisis for the party.

It was previously suggested that former governor and APC national chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, should persuade his preferred candidate, Dennis Idahosa, to withdraw his court case challenging the primary election and allow Oshiomhole to choose the running mate.

However, this proposal has been met with opposition from party bigwigs in Edo South and some members of the State Working Committee (SWC), who are against Idahosa becoming the running mate.

The opposition’s concerns stem from the belief that Idahosa would be more loyal to Oshiomhole as deputy governor rather than the governor.

Additionally, there is a desire to prevent Oshiomhole from taking control of the party.

A separate proposal involving the defection of former PDP governorship aspirant, Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, to the APC and becoming the deputy governor has also been met with resistance from President Bola Tinubu and Oshiomhole.

This politically strange idea is said to be pushed by a minister from a South-South state.

The Edo APC is facing a critical decision regarding the choice of a running mate for Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the internal divisions within the party are complicating the process.

The outcome of this decision could have significant implications for the party’s chances of winning the state back in the upcoming election.