LGA Congress: Alimikhena positions party loyalists ahead of Third Term bid

By DADA AYOKHAI
 
It's becoming clearer and clearer with each passing day that the  recently concluded APC local government congress is part of  a decoy for  politicians to plant  their surrogates in vantage positions.

Even as the congress outcome continues to generate controversy among the power brokers, the major beneficiaries are equally busy trying to entrench themselves 

In Etsako East local government area, for instance, the process leading to the emergence of the party's LGA chairman turned into an intense power tussle between incumbent Sen Francis Alimikhena and other power blocs in the locality

 In the ensuing battle of wits, akin to a complex chess game and camouflaged as well by an intricate web of intrigues saw  Sen Alimikhena  succeeded in  having  his loyalist, Hon Peter Okponokhe, from Imiegba in North Ibie, as chairman.  

The senator who is currently serving his second term in the Senate, is said to be seriously eyeing a third term and one of the surest way to actualise such is to have his trusted men in sensitive party positions where they would be able to sway things in his way

 Mr Okponokhe, a retired soldier, is also a fellow kinsman to Hon Abubakar Momoh, a former member of the House of Representatives and one of those highly expected  to take a shot for the Edo North senatorial ticket on the APC platform. 

Sources privy to how Mr Okponokhe emerged noted he was a "child of circumstance". 

The source further stated that during the APC leaders meeting, convened to pick a  consensus candidate for the chairmanship seat, the Momoh camp succeeded in having the slot zoned to Ward 9 in North Ibie  axis of the state.
but the  Alimikhena camp was able to have its choice candidate, Mr Okponokhe, installed as chairman. 


As it is now, the new Etsako East party chairman, Mr Okponokhe, will probably find himself  in a fix during his party primaries, on where his loyalty truly lies. 

He will be torn between supporting ,  his fellow kinsman, Hon Momoh, who will most likely take a shot or his political godfather, Sen Alimikhena, who is bent on pursuing a third term agenda.

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