Edo ADC in crisis as Owie, others shut out of meeting in Benin

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

All is not well with the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as several leaders of the party were yesterday shut out of a meeting scheduled to be held at the residence of the National Leader of the party and former governor of the state, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Benin City.

Among those shut out were former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie; one of the founders and financiers of the party in the state, Sunny Aguebor and a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Douglas Iyike.

It was learnt that those excluded from the meeting had arrived at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence when they were shown a list of those invited.

Angered by the development, the members reportedly took over the entrance to the compound until a unit of police officers said to have been sent from the State Command came and talked to them before they left the place.

Senator Owie, while speaking to journalists on the development, called on the national leadership of the party to call Odigie-Oyegun to order.

“We that are here, are founding members of the ADC. We are supposed to have a meeting today, but Chief John Oyegun who has not done anything to support the party in this state is calling non-members to a meeting and excluding those who are statutory members.

“As a matter of fact, the senatorial meeting was to be called up to four or five times, he stopped it; he will postpone it.

As we are talking, we have been everywhere in this state, especially here in Edo South, where we are right now raising members for the party, ask him how many people he has attracted to this party.

“We are telling the national leadership of the party that enough is enough of John Oyegun. This was how he was as the National Chairman of the APC and he was removed with ease. Enough is enough. He cannot disrespect those who are building the party,” Owie said.

Reacting to Owie’s complaints, Chief Odigie-Oyegun said he was still in the leadership meeting of the party and would speak on the issues after the meeting.