*APC Crisis Deepens: Gbajabiamila, Tunji-Ojo Accused of Backing Unfit Okojie for Senate Seat*



Barely two months after the gubernatorial election in Edo State, fresh tension has engulfed the state over the anticipated senatorial election in Edo Central Senatorial District to replace Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo in the Senate.

Already, intensive maneuvering and intrigues over Okpebholo's replacement have begun within the major political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC). No fewer than 12 aspirants are jostling for consideration for the APC ticket.

Tongues are wagging in APC over an alleged plot by National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Okpebholo to impose Mr. Odianosen Henry Okojie as the party's candidate. Okojie currently represents Esan North East and Esan South East Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Okojie is reportedly mobilizing his Abuja contacts, particularly in the Presidency, to circumvent party processes and secure the ticket. A pressure group, Esan Renaissance Movement (ERM), has petitioned Ganduje and Okpebholo over the issue.

ERM fingered Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister of Interior Bunmi Tunji-Ojo as Okojie's sponsors, warning them to refrain from manipulating the selection process. The group advised Ganduje and Okpebholo not to succumb to intimidation and blackmail by Gbajabiamila and Tunji-Ojo.

ERM described Okojie as unfit and unsuitable for the Senate seat, citing his lack of credibility and poor representation of Esan North East and Esan South East Constituency. The group accused Okojie of deploying blackmail and intimidation for personal gain and questioned his ability to win a senatorial contest.

"Okojie lacks the credibility to fly the APC ticket for the senatorial election. What has he achieved with the mandate given to him?" ERM asked. "He is a sleeping representative... not representing Esan North East and Esan South East Constituency but himself."

ERM cited Okojie's role in the Aliko Dangote/NNPCL debacle and his chairmanship of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) as examples of his selfish agenda.

The group urged Ganduje to allow APC members in Edo Central to freely elect their candidate, warning that external forces should not dictate their political journey.

In conclusion, ERM appealed to Ganduje and Okpebholo to distance themselves from Okojie, emphasizing the need for a credible candidate to sustain APC's legitimacy in Edo State.

Hassan Abubàkar -Editor. 

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