Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor and current senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, has instructed APC foot soldiers in the Edo North senatorial district to withdraw their support from Senator Monday Okpebholo ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Sources close to Oshiomhole indicate that the former governor is deeply aggrieved by what he perceives as his marginalization within the party.
It is understood that Oshiomhole feels sidelined by Okpebholo’s alignment with Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, which has led to a significant rift between him and the APC governorship candidate.
A source close to Oshiomhole said, “Senator Okpebholo seems to have dumped Oshiomhole and is now working with Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. This has infuriated the senator, leading him to call off support for the APC governorship candidate.”
The source further reveals that Oshiomhole has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly orchestrating the shift in political allegiance.
”He believes that Akpabio’s influence has persuaded Okpebholo to work closely with Shaibu, thus alienating him from the core APC campaign team in Edo state,” the source added.
Oshiomhole has reportedly conveyed to his associates that he can’t work with a governor who would be controlled from the Senate chambers.
”This internal conflict within the APC could have serious implications for the party’s chances. Anyone who knows Oshomhole knows that he has always disassociated himself from Akpabio.
”Okpebholo’s decision to align with the Senate President will likely lead to his downfall in this election as Oshiomhole has quietly ordered his foot soldiers to frustrate the APC candidate, the source concluded.