Edo APC stalwarts resign amid marginalisation

The defection train driving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has finally landed in Edo State as some members of Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC) and supporters of Senator Rabiu  Musa Kwankwaso have resigned their membership from APC

The Kwankwansiyya movement which is a unit in the rAPC was led by its caucus chairman and APC financier, Chief John Osamede Adun, the Aiyobahan of Benin kingdom.

The development is coming amidst speculations that the National chairman of the APC and former Edo governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is being expected in the state to reconcile warring factions in the party.

Other prominent members of the group include, Hon. Harrison Omagbon, the state Coordinator, and Hon. Roland Alari, former Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

Others are, Mr. Francis Ikonomwan, former Special Assistant to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Hon. Isaac Osahon, former member of House of Representatives.

At a news conference on Thursday, Harrison Omagbon, said their decision to dump the APC was after, “critical evaluation, due consultations in relation to unfolding political events in the country”.

The letter of resignation of Chief Adun and Omagbon, read in part: “We wish to inform the state leadership of the APC that the 589, 137 members  of the Kwankwansiyya movement from the 192 wards in Edo State hereby resign from the APC with immediate effect from today, August 9th, 2018.

Omagbon also said leaders of the movement which National leader is former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso, would soon decide on their next line of action, although indications are they may defect to the PDP anytime soon.

Also speaking, Francis Ikonomwan said that they would not accept any offer from the leadership of APC.

Present at the press briefing were former APC National Assembly member for Ovia Federal Constituency, Engr Isaac Osahon; former APC chairman for Orhionwon local government, Mathew Ehigie; former Council Chairman for Ovia North East Local Government, Mrs Lucy Omagbon.

Meanwhile, the publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Azebamwen, in his response said: “The recent defections are normal and in some cases, expected in a nascent democracy such as ours, especially in an election year.

His statement on Wednesday, 8, 2018, was predicated on State Working Committee meeting of APC.