By, Agboakhale Omokhodion
For over three weeks,one has been watching with bathed breath but with hilarious feelings the macabre dance taking place in Esan Central Local Government Area. Chief Francis Inegbenekhi was earlier said to have been suspended from the APC for unverifiable anti-party activities.
Before one could close his eyes from that, Francis and some other party chieftains are said to have been expelled from the party. It may not have been necessary to dignify these self -acclaimed Party demigods, who could pass decision on party members at will,with a response but to briefly pass a word on party structure and constitutional provision for disciplinary measures on party members. Without any contest,party members can only be expelled through recommendations from down the line for such to the NEC or the Convention.
The rush and hush-hush manners with which Chief Inegbenekhi’s issue is being handled raises much eyebrows and awakens ones consciousness to several factors why certain forces are out to get him out of the party.
It is well known that the issues in Esan Central are being orchestrated and blown out of proportion by the APC state party chairman , Col. David Imuse(rtd). It is a fact to keen Party followers that Col Imuse is averse to Francis’ boldness and forthrightness on party matters.Thus, Imuse has been nursing and nourishing moves to get Inegbenekhi off the party structure since the inception of the present party Exco in Edo state. The present crisis in Esan Central Local Government is not the first in which Imuse tried to bruise and humble Inegbenekhi.
Today, one of the local governments in Edo Central from which the state chairman hails is embroiled in crisis. This tells much of the leadership capacity of the state chairman. It would have been more plausible and worth applauding if the state chairman faces his job of taking the party to winning ways, an assignment he appears grossly ill-equipped for.
Party faithful have been crying out that the APC has not behaved as a party in opposition in Edo state. Thus so much uncovered grounds by the APC have given the PDP Governor Obaseki led government much to leverage on in politicking.
David Imuse has not won any election in his domain since he became the party chairman. In the last general election he lost his polling unit,Ward and LGA, if not for results from other LGAs the party would have lost the Presidential, Senate and House of Reps seats in the senatorial district.
What impetus for him to be pursuing persons who could add value to and lift the party up in Esan Central? Is extreme punishment the only option available for a misdemeanor, if any?
Col Imuse is being touted to be interested in the Edo Governorship election for next year.
Evidence abound to give currency to this assertion.The credentials he has to showcase himself are yet to be seen. In party activities, he is docile, lacks the power and oratory skills to marshal out and capture the party manifesto to the electorate. He operates solo and lacks the administrative skills to harness and galvanize the leadership and membership of the party towards the achievement of set goals. He lacks the interconnectivity with other leaders across the state for a cohesive party framework. He without hesitation holds party leaders in disdain thereby arrogating to himself the power of an emperor to administer the party.
In the recent by-election that took place in Edo state, David Imuse was frolicking in the USA while part leaders were having sleepless nights strategizing on winning ways. Imuse cared not for the fate of the party in the election. He told his close men that he knew the party had lost the election and would not waste time on it. Indeed, he travelled to the USA. Painfully, we lost the election.This is enough to make APC members pass a vote of no confidence in Imuse and ensure he resigns from his position as State Chairman. He has had enough loots from the electioneering periods while he superintendents over the party.
The time for Imuse to give way in the Party is now. He has had enough to look after himself in retirement. Party members have taken enough from him. The time to part ways is now. Imuse should honourably resign and allow the party to rejig.