Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Carmen Diego
A deepening crisis has emerged within the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress after former Edo State Governor John Odigie‑Oyegun reportedly held a caucus meeting at his residence and excluded prominent party figures, including former Senate Chief Whip Roland Owie.
According to sources within the party, the meeting was convened at Odigie-Oyegun’s home without prior notice to Owie and other influential members of the state chapter — individuals widely regarded as key financiers and strategists for the party in the region. Others allegedly excluded from the gathering include Sunny Aguebor and Douglas Iyike, a noted figure and national leader within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
Party insiders described the exclusion as both deliberate and divisive, raising tensions among ADC stakeholders in Edo State. Some members who were shut out have expressed frustration, questioning the legitimacy of decisions reached at a meeting they said was not representative of the party’s leadership in the state.
The developments have compounded internal disagreements within the ADC’s Edo chapter, which has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining cohesion and effective grassroots mobilisation after the 2023 general elections. Analysts say the latest episode highlights deeper fault lines between established party elders and emerging influencers who claim ownership of local financial and strategic direction.
Supporters of Owie and other excluded members argue that any caucus intended to guide the party’s activities should involve recognised executive leadership and not be held exclusively at the residence of an individual, regardless of stature. These members insist that inclusive processes are essential for credibility, particularly as the ADC seeks to expand its footprint in Edo’s competitive political terrain ahead of future elections.
Odigie-Oyegun, a respected elder statesman and first national chairman of the All Progressives Congress before joining the ADC, has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the rationale for the meeting or the exclusion of other leaders. Party sources suggest he is pursuing what he considers strategic discussions on organisational direction, though critics say the format undermines collective decision-making.
Douglas Iyike, who is said to exert influence among petroleum marketers across the region, and Sunny Aguebor, a known party financier, were also noticeably absent from the caucus invitation. Their exclusion has fuelled speculation about factional alignments within the Edo ADC and raised questions about unity and shared agenda development.
Political observers note that internal conflicts often surface in smaller parties as they grapple with leadership styles, financial contributions, and strategy formulation. In the ADC’s case, such disputes have the potential to dampen morale among grassroots members and weaken the party’s ability to present a united front against established rivals in the state.
For now, the crisis remains unresolved, with rival camps within the Edo ADC urging dialogue while others call for formal intervention by the party’s national leadership to mediate the standoff. Stakeholders are cautioning against unilateral actions that could further erode internal cohesion and electoral viability.
As the situation unfolds, attention will turn to how the ADC’s national hierarchy responds and whether the parties involved can bridge their differences through structured engagement rather than further public controversy.
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