By Rasheed Lateef
Fresh political tension has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan West Local Government Area following the reported third-term ambition of Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
Agbebaku, on Friday, publicly apologised to APC leaders and members in Owan West over alleged past political grievances as he battles growing resistance to his re-election bid ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Speaker made the appeal during an enlarged APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of APC chieftain, Chief Lucky Ohimai, popularly called Tarex, in Owan West.
The lawmaker, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, said he attended the meeting to reconcile and fully align with the party structure in the local government.
Addressing party leaders and members, Agbebaku admitted that past misunderstandings within the party were caused by overzealous supporters and appealed for forgiveness and unity.
“I have never, and will never, dispute his party leadership in Owan West,” Agbebaku said in reference to Ohimai.
“I am here to say, whoever I wronged in the past, whether knowingly or unknowingly, I deeply apologise. I remain committed to working for the progress of our party, the APC, and the people.”
The Speaker also used the opportunity to formally declare his intention to seek re-election to the Edo State House of Assembly.
“I want my brother, Tarex, to also know that I am in the race for re-election. I appeal to you all that we need to use this opportunity judiciously for the benefit of everybody,” he added.
However, party members at the meeting reportedly rejected calls to endorse Agbebaku for a third term, insisting that he should contest alongside other aspirants seeking the APC ticket for Owan West Constituency.
Ward 11 Chairman, Lewis Ekpenga, said the constituency had other qualified aspirants and warned against imposing a sole candidate on the party.
“Nobody in his right senses should contemplate giving his plea a thought. Hon. Agbebaku is not the only person in Owan West qualified to aspire for this position,” Ekpenga reportedly said.
“And considering his antecedents before, during and after the governorship election, we will be doing the greatest injustice to our people if we throw him up as our candidate.”
Another party member, Johnson Abolagba, argued that priority should be given to loyal APC members who worked for the party’s victory during the 2024 governorship election.
“I think the governor, for the sake of stability and rewarding loyalty in the party, should look at aspirants who worked for his election,” he said.
He mentioned names such as Hon. Frank Ilaboya, Barr. George Ohioma, Atafo Gold and Juliana Ikharo as party loyalists deserving consideration.
