Tension has gripped the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imane Ward 2, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, following allegations that ward executives endorsed a governorship aspirant after collecting N3 million.
Aggrieved members accused the ward leadership of “imposition” and “political prostitution” for allegedly endorsing Hon. Emmanuel Okpe, popularly known as Stardust, while sidelining other aspirants.
A statement circulating among party members alleged that N3 million was shared at the instance of Mr. Samuel Ideyi, Secretary to Olamaboro Local Government, to secure the endorsement of some Ward 2 stakeholders for Okpe.
“Since when did we start selling APC tickets in Imane? This is not politics. Imane APC is not for sale,” the statement read.
The members further alleged that Okpe is parading himself as the “government candidate” and “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s anointed,” describing the claim as “false” and an “insult” to the governor.
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“Governor Ododo has warned repeatedly: stop using my name for your selfish ambition. Dragging the Governor into this cash-and-carry endorsement will surely make him angry,” they said.
The aggrieved members also faulted the ward executives for allegedly ignoring other leading aspirants, including, Hon Bameyi Odufu Raphael, Hassan Ayuba and Kizito Abah, who they described as having “street credibility and grassroots followership.”
“How do you endorse a candidate and sideline the real contenders? You ignored them because Okpe allegedly dropped N3 million. Shame,” the statement added.
They warned that the purported endorsement was done in okpo has divided the ward and could create problems for the APC in Olamaboro ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is not unity. This is imposition. Members are angry. The ward is divided. The Governor stands for internal democracy. This fake endorsement is everything the Governor is fighting against,” they said.
The members demanded an apology from the Imane Ward 2 APC leadership to Governor Ododo and party members, urging them to “retrace their steps before they destroy the party.”
“Emmanuel Okpe’s desperation is now a clear and present danger to APC in Olamaboro. We don’t want candidates who buy endorsements. We want candidates with the people at heart,” the statement said.
Efforts to reach Hon. Emmanuel Okpe for comments were unsuccessful as of press time. His phone line was not reachable and he had not responded to a text message sent to him. Also, calls and messages to the Imane Ward 2 APC Chairman and Mr. Samuel Ideyi were not answered.
The Kogi State APC Publicity Secretary,, could not be reached for reaction.
Governor Ododo has consistently warned party members against using his name to promote personal political ambitions.
