Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
In the labyrinthine world of politics, trust is the currency that greases power wheels. However, in recent events, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) finds itself in a precarious position as whispers of distrust reverberate.
At the heart of the turmoil lies Senator Monday Okpebholo, the bewildered gubernatorial candidate, whose fortunes seem to have taken a nosedive amidst allegations of party leaders and governors withholding campaign funds.
Sources within the party speaking to Truth Live News under the cloak of anonymity reveal a palpable lack of confidence in Okpebholo’s candidacy.
He said: “We don’t even know him; the feedback we receive daily from the state is negative, and nobody wants to invest in what they don’t trust. All indices and permutations have shown that it will be highly impossible for Okphebolo to win the election. Apart from the fact that he was not a collective choice, his level of lack is bemusing. We cannot present this kind of individual to the public – it will amount to retrogression.
His remark echoes the sentiments of many within the APC hierarchy. With daily reports of disapproval from the state, investing in an unknown individual appears to be a gamble not many are willing to take”.
Another source of funding the candidate was said to have been expecting, which has now become uncertain, is from a clergyman from the state who was said to have confided in a close family member that he was sceptical about putting his money on the senator as he confessed that so much unpleasant publicity about the candidate had created apprehension about his decision to fund the campaign.
Our source said: “Apart from political leaders from the party who had registered their reservations on spending on the campaign, some private business owners who were earlier favourably disposed to spend money on his campaign have started showing some level of disenchantment over the whole idea.
“One of his most substantial hopes was from a billionaire clergy from his senatorial district who has not been forthcoming.
“He’s said to be facing so much pressure from his home front to discontinue funding such a candidate who has become very unpopular lately”.
Also, campaign council members at different levels have complained about the same lack of funds and logistics. One APC member from Irrua, Esan central LGA, the candidate’s hometown, told our correspondent they had not received any funding. They stated they were tired of spending personal funds on an election and were unsure if their candidate could win. “If he is sure he can win, he should bring out money for us to work for him,” the frustrated party faithful lamented.
He said: “Before the last Edo APC gubernatorial primary election, there were aspirants like Prof Oseriemem Osunbor, Engr Gideo Ikhine, Architect Mike Onolenemen, Pst Ize-Iyamu and a host of other intelligent Edolite in that election.
“Most of us are unsure how the Edo APC ended up with Senator Monday Okpebholo. Regardless of party affiliation, whoever wishes Edo State well will never wish Mr Okpebholo on Edo State, let alone support him. Edo APC bigwigs, notably the aforementioned people and Sen. Oshiomole should jettison party loyalty, think Edo first, and support Asue Ighodalo. Government business is not for jokers.
As the spectre of uncertainty looms over Okpebholo’s campaign, one is reminded that luck, however fickle, can only carry a man so far. In the high-stakes game of politics, trust is the ultimate trump card, and for the APC in Edo State, the stakes have never been higher.