Crisis rocks ADC in Edo as party leaders shut out of Odigie-Oyegun’s meeting

There is fresh turmoil in the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as prominent leaders of the party were reportedly barred from attending a meeting convened at the residence of the party’s national leader and former governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun.

Among those allegedly shut out were former Chief Whip of the Senate, Rowland Owie; one of the party’s founders and financiers in the state, Sunny Aguebor; and a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Douglas Iyike.

Sources said Odigie-Oyegun scheduled the meeting at his residence, but upon arrival, some party members were shown a list of invited attendees, which did not include their names. The development reportedly angered the excluded leaders, who gathered at the entrance of the compound in protest until police officers from the State Command intervened and persuaded them to disperse.

Speaking with journalists at the scene, Owie accused Odigie-Oyegun of sidelining statutory members of the party while allegedly inviting non-members to the meeting.

“We that are here are founding members of the ADC. We are supposed to have a meeting today. Chief John Oyegun, who has not done anything to support the party in this state, is calling non-members to a meeting and excluding those who are statutory members,” Owie said.

He further alleged that scheduled senatorial meetings had been repeatedly postponed and accused the former governor of failing to attract new members to the party in Edo State.

Owie called on the national leadership of the ADC to intervene, stating that “enough is enough,” and warning against what he described as disrespect towards party members working to build the structure at the grassroots.

When contacted, Odigie-Oyegun said he was still in a leadership meeting and would respond to the allegations after its conclusion.

The unfolding crisis underscores deepening divisions within the ADC’s Edo chapter, raising concerns about internal cohesion as the party seeks to strengthen its foothold in the state’s political landscape.