The political atmosphere in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is thick with tension as a fierce internal battle brews between the state chairman, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, and the Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, amid a deafening silence from Governor Monday Okpebhelo, the party’s leader in the state.
Tenebe, who took over from Col. David Imuse (rtd.) after Imuse stepped aside to contest the 2024 governorship ticket, appears to be fighting what may be his toughest political battle yet — one that could end his tenure before its official expiration in December 2025.
Inside sources told GWG.ng that both Oshiomhole and Momoh are quietly working against Tenebe’s re-election as state chairman. The plot reportedly thickened after Tenebe approved the suspension of Etsako East Ward 9 Chairman, Adamu Ototobor, a known loyalist of Momoh.
“He is no longer in their good books,” one party insider disclosed. “Tenebe’s action in Momoh’s ward was seen as a political slap. Now, both Oshiomhole and the minister are believed to be backing his removal.”
The cold war became public after Tenebe was absent from Oshiomhole’s empowerment programme last week — a move that confirmed speculations of a widening rift within Edo North APC.
In a series of blistering posts on social media, Tenebe accused Minister Momoh of plotting to hijack the APC structure in Edo through what he described as a “dangerous clique.”
“Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, I have led this party to the best of my ability. I can as well leave the party to you and your dangerous clique,” he wrote.
“I supported you during your House of Representatives election when you were rigged out by this same clique. If that’s my crime, then I’m proud of it.”
The embattled chairman said he had “fought for the oppressed and lent a voice to those who could not speak”, adding that his current travails were the price for standing up to entrenched interests.
“During the last local government election, I travelled by canoe through dangerous terrain while Momoh sat in air-conditioned comfort,” he fumed. “Now, they say I am no longer capable. Let them have their way if that will bring peace.”
Meanwhile, Minister Momoh, when contacted, dismissed Tenebe’s outburst with a wave of the hand.
“Let him exhaust himself,” Momoh said. “I will not join issues with him.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the party’s state secretary, Lawrence Okah, proved futile as he neither responded to calls nor was found at the state secretariat when reporters visited.
With Oshiomhole maintaining a studied silence, insiders say the chairman’s fate may already be sealed. The big question now is whether the APC in Edo can survive yet another round of internal warfare — this time between a fiery chairman, a calculating minister, and a quiet but watchful party leader.
