Confusion Hits Edo Labour Party As Obidient Movement Backs APC Candidate

A group on the platform of Obidient Movement has pledged support for the Edo State All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

The group, which comprised members from the Edo South Senatorial District, on Monday, declared support for the APC candidate because of his close ties with the people.

However, the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party condemned the support to the APC candidate, saying that it was absurd for people who called themselves members of the Obidient Movement to support candidates of other parties.

The Obidient Movement, a youth movement which became famous during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, was to coordinate and propagate the activities of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, for the election.

After the election, the party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, created the Obidient Directorate to cater to the yearnings of the members, but it was renamed after Obi’s rebuttal.

Obi had claimed that the Obidient Movement did not belong to any political party and should not be named as a directorate of any party.

Speaking during a meeting with Okpebholo, the Coordinator General of the Obidient Movement for Okpebholo, Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, described the members of the movement as lovers of good governance, fairness and accountability.

He added, “We supported Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election because we felt it was the turn of the Igbo.

“Right now in Edo, it is the turn of Esan and we need the most qualified to work for everybody, and not a stranger.”

Okpebholo, receiving the group, lauded the members for the support and pledged to repay the confidence reposed in him if voted to power.

He promised to surpass the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the first year of his administration.

“If they have done well, I would not have contested. I urged you to punish them with your votes because if you leave it for them, our unborn children will suffer,” he added.

Reacting, the Edo LP Publicity Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, said, “It is absurd to hear that Obidient Movement is supporting Okpebholo just the way some also said they were Obidient Movement for Asue Ighodalo.

“The Obidient Movement is synonymous with the Labour Party and integral members of the party.

“They have forgotten so soon how the party was denied the use of the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium before the presidential election. So, how can these people now declare support for Okpebholo or Ighodalo?

“For me, they have run out of ideas and do not know what they are doing at this point in time. They cannot be Obidient Movement and work against the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata.”