Youths disrupt Okpebholo’s APC ward meeting in Edo

By Osaze IMAFIDON, Benin

An All Progressives Congress (APC) ward meeting attended by Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo was on Wednesday disrupted by youths who repeatedly booed the governor and chanted: “oppression, oppression” and “no more neglect, no more use and dump.”

The incident occurred during the governor’s address at the APC Oredo East ward meeting held at Garrick Memorial along Ekewan Road, Benin.

The youths reportedly interrupted the governor several times, accusing his administration of neglecting them after allegedly supporting his emergence during the 2024 governorship election.

A witness, who identified herself simply as Madam Esohe, said the situation became tense as the youths defied appeals by party leaders to allow the meeting to continue.

“The youths insisted that they had been used and dumped after working for the governor’s emergence during the election,” she said.

The repeated interruptions reportedly forced the governor to halt his address, while efforts by party leaders to calm the situation failed.

The meeting, which formed part of Okpebholo’s ongoing consultations with APC members at the ward level, consequently ended abruptly.

The development has sparked fresh concerns over the party’s grassroots relations, with allegations and counter-allegations over what transpired at the meeting.

The governor’s handlers reportedly accused a party leader identified simply as Comrade Adams of allegedly orchestrating the protest and booing of the governor.

The allegation could not immediately be independently verified.

Okpebholo has recently intensified engagements with APC members across the state as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure ahead of future political activities.

THE BEAGLE NEWS