Edo APC Chieftain Idahosa Calls for Oshiomhole’s Resignation

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and former Political Adviser to Adams Oshiomhole, Charles Idahosa, has called on the APC National Chairman to resign, accusing him of worsening the crisis within the party.

Idahosa, who served as political adviser to Oshiomhole when he was governor of Edo State, made the call during a press conference in Benin City.

He accused his former boss of encouraging anti-democratic practices and contributing to the growing divisions within the Edo APC.

According to Idahosa, the situation in the state was troubling because Governor Godwin Obaseki enjoyed considerable public support while simultaneously facing resistance from some leaders within the party that brought him to power.

He said many voters were satisfied with Obaseki’s performance, but some party leaders were unhappy because they believed the governor was not carrying them along politically.

Idahosa argued that Oshiomhole’s refusal to publicly distance himself from groups opposing Obaseki had created the impression that he supported their activities.

He noted that Obaseki had repeatedly said he had no personal disagreement with Oshiomhole and questioned why the APC national chairman had not similarly clarified his own position.

According to him, Oshiomhole’s silence had helped deepen the crisis and contributed to the dispute surrounding the Edo State House of Assembly.

Idahosa alleged that many of those openly challenging the governor were politically associated with Oshiomhole and maintained that the former governor bore substantial responsibility for the divisions within the state chapter of the party.

He argued that while Oshiomhole was governor, party members generally recognised him as the political leader of the state and said the same consideration should now be extended to Obaseki.

Idahosa also criticised Oshiomhole’s record as APC national chairman, pointing to the party’s losses in several states during the 2019 general elections.

He argued that the national chairman should accept responsibility for those setbacks and resign.

According to him, the APC’s loss of states including Oyo and Rivers, together with its weak position in the South-East, reflected shortcomings in the party’s leadership.

Idahosa further accused Oshiomhole of taking important party decisions in an overly unilateral manner and said such an approach risked creating additional internal conflicts.

He urged senior APC leaders to intervene before the disagreements became severe enough to threaten the unity of the party in Edo State.

The former political adviser also called on Oshiomhole to allow Obaseki sufficient political space to govern without interference, arguing that former governors had not attempted to control Oshiomhole in a similar manner during his own tenure.

Idahosa recalled previous political disagreements involving Oshiomhole and prominent Edo figures and urged leaders in the state, particularly within the Benin community, to avoid divisions capable of weakening their political influence.

He praised Obaseki’s performance in office, saying the governor had made a positive impact on the social and economic wellbeing of residents.

Idahosa consequently expressed support for Obaseki’s bid for a second term and argued that denying him another four years would not be in the best interest of Edo State.