Ethiope East APC: LG Council Boss Refuses Ovu Ward Joining APC, Says Edewor Remains His Leader

By Philip Onome

The Unity meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ethiope East local government area held on Sunday, enveloped with crises as the Ethiope East Council Chairman, Mr. Augustine Ogedegbe, refused Ovu Ward 5 accepting the party’s symbol of broom from the Ethiope East APC leader, Chief Love Ojakovo, asserting that Chief Bernard Edewor remains his leader.

This incident which led to serious disagreement and crises among Ovu new APC and leaders of old APC came up when Chief Love Ojakovo and the Ovu APC Ward Chairman, Mr Joseph Ituge made attempt to present the broom to the new members coming into the party.

But it was gathered that the Ethiope East Council Chairman, Mr. Ogedegbe vehemently interrupted the process, as he refused to accept the broom from Chief Ojakovo, the recognized leader of Ethiope East APC with heated argument that he knows know other leader apart from his PDP leader, Chief Bernard Edewor.

Speaking on the recent crises that engulfed the Ovu Ward 5 new APC, Chief Love Ojakovo dismissed claims and propaganda, saying that he decided to speak in order to make the record straight against what is being speculated by individuals still aligning with the erstwhile Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Ethiope East APC leader, Chief Love Ojakovo while speaking on the issue said Chief Lovette Edirin Idisi, Chief Tessy Torru, Chief Julius Ogbevire and other notable leaders of Ovu Ward 5 had opened their hands to receive the broom, except the local government council chairman who deprived the entire Ovu new APC entrance into the party.

He recounted a prior meeting called by Edewor, noting that he was informed of this meeting while on vacation in the United States. Ojakovo argued that Edewor, who was previously the leader of the PDP in Ethiope East, should not have called a meeting of APC, as he has not yet officially joined the party.

Ojakovo expressed disappointment that in the meeting called by Chief Bernard Edewor, only one APC official, Chief Julius Ogboru, the LGA chairman attended, where Chief Edewor was declared as their leader. This situation created unrest among other APC members who believed that Edewor had not completed his transition into the party. He said the meeting Ogboru attended came with serious tension but he has to calm the situation.

However, Chief Ojakovo the other meeting at Ovu ward 5 was intended for new members to receive their membership cards and party broom, but it ended in disarray due to Ogedegbe’s refusal to accept the broom from the party’s leader Ojakovo. He highlighted ongoing divisions within the Ethiope East APC, pointing out that when Orhoakpo had their unity meeting that he (Ojakovo) personally handed the party symbol (Broom) to Chief Tony Oboroh without argument.

Ojakovo stated that they are patiently waiting until Ogedegbe is prepared to accept the broom from the APC leaders in Ethiope East chairman into APC will remain unresolved. He is the one coming to meet us not we going to meet him, saying that the choice is his, “We are in our home and we are ready to accept and work with anyone for the party to win and not to disrupt the party or the chances of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

One of the Ethiope East Council Chairman’s diehard boy who who spoke on condition of anonymity said he has not been happy that his boss refused to receive the symbol of the party, affirming that it does not matter who gives so far is a leader, saying this Act does not portray good sign for future elections, mostly that of His Excellency, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori come 2027.

Speaking to Joseph Ituge, the Ovu ward 5 APC Chairman, he supported Ojakovo’s perspective, reinforcing that the handover of the broom could only occur when the council chairman, Mr. Augustine Ogedegbe was willing to accept it from both him and Chief Ojakovo, showing a strong divide in leadership recognition within the party and it does not tell well of Ovu Community with his actions.