Oyegun, APC chairman

A group, Concerned Edo Leaders of Thought (CELT), has expressed concern over alleged plots to unseat Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the situation as “worrisome”.

‎The group, which blamed the plots on a serving governor it chose not to name, called on well meaning Nigerians to join them in their campaign to ensure that the former governor of Edo state is retained in his position as chairman of the ruling party.

In a statement in Benin, signed by its Chairman, Col. Paul Ogbebor (retd), the‎ group alleged that the governor is plotting the removal of Oyegun in order to impose and install his anointed candidates as governor and deputy governor.

‎“The general belief over time, is that there is no smoke without fire. As such, we the Edo South, are sounding a note of concern and if you may, warning, that the alleged plan by (a prominent governor), to remove Odigie-Oyegun, and succeed him after his tenure as a Governor, as reported by a national newspaper recently will not be‎ taken lightly by CELT.

‎”In no uncertain terms, CELT will resist, by all means necessary, this unfair and dishonourable arrangement to impose stooges on us.

“Time will tell and no matter the outcome, our position and support for Chief Odigie-Oyegun remains unwavering,” the group said.

Col. Ogbebor in the statement, recalled that Chief Odigie-Oyegun, as National Chairman of the APC, midwifed the electoral victory of the present federal government, adding that “this feat is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, where an opposition party convincingly defeated an incumbent and seemingly invincible national party.”

The CELT noted that as a group, it passionately seeks to ensure that justice is done to Edo people in a polity that marginalizes those whose interests are not properly protected and represented due to intimidation or other self-serving exigences, by the larger majority.

It noted that in a country where fairness and justice is a scarce commodity, the marginalized group ends up being cheated out of benefits and from partaking in most aspects of national activities, as deserved and expected.

The author, Jethro Ibileke, can be reached on [email protected]