Tensions within the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Monday, forcing police intervention after a leadership meeting descended into a standoff.
The crisis erupted when several senior members of the party were barred from attending a meeting convened at the residence of the party’s leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in the Government Reservation Area of Benin City.
Aggrieved leaders, including a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie, gathered at the entrance of the residence but were reportedly turned away after being informed their names were not on the list of invited participants.
The situation remained tense until operatives from the Edo State Police Command arrived at the scene. The officers persuaded the protesting members to disperse peacefully, thereby preventing the dispute from escalating into a physical confrontation.
Among those denied access were prominent party stakeholders, including one of the founders and financiers of the ADC in the state, Sunny Aguebor, and a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Douglas Iyike.
Speaking with journalists after the incident, an visibly angry Owie accused Odigie-Oyegun of disrespecting founding members who have laboured to build the party in the state. He called on the national leadership of the ADC to rein in the party leader.
“We are founding members of the ADC, and we are supposed to have a meeting today,” Owie said.
“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 postponed it.
“As we are talking, we have been everywhere in this state, especially here in Edo South, 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 for John Oyegun. This was how he acted as the national chairman of the APC until he was removed with ease. He cannot disrespect those who are building the party,” the former Senate Chief Whip added.
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