Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Tensions are running high within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State over alleged mismanagement of campaign funds for gubernatorial candidate Senator Monday Okpehbolo.
Sources close to the candidate revealed that a near physical altercation erupted on Monday between Okpehbolo and a key party leader, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, over the latter’s handling of campaign finances.
According to NewsHunterNow, an anonymous insider disclosed that Okpehbolo is increasingly concerned that Ize-Iyamu’s primary focus is on the campaign funds rather than securing a victory for the party in the upcoming gubernatorial election. “The way and manner Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has been dispensing funds for the campaigns has not been quite satisfactory and this has been a cause of major concern for our candidate, Monday Okpehbolo,” the source stated. “The duo came to a near fisticuff over the matter. It was a scene that wasn’t so pleasing for us as friends of Okpehbolo and supporters of APC.”
The APC candidate has reportedly been reaching out to other party leaders, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, seeking intervention to curb Ize-Iyamu’s focus on campaign funds. The insider added, “I really don’t know how long this will be on but the situation is rather unfortunate and the APC at the national level must act immediately before Pastor Ize-Iyamu jeopardizes our party’s chances at the forthcoming gubernatorial election for his own selfish interest.”