Inside Edo
Edo LG youths petition Okpebholo over nomination of Elderly councillorship candidate
Written By: Abdullahi Izuagbe
18 Sep 2025 12:17 PM
Orhionmwon, Edo — A group of youths from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo state, have petitioned the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, expressing serious concerns over the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s nomination process for the upcoming by-elections.
The petition, signed by Festus Ese on behalf of the youths, highlights the alleged imposition of elderly candidates, including a 77-year-old, without a primary election.
According to the petition, the nomination of candidate Evans Okunrobo has sparked "widespread discontent" among the younger population.
The youths argue that this process undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity, denying them the opportunity to participate in the political process and bring fresh perspectives to governance.
Their concerns, as outlined in the petition, include:
Lack of Representation: The youth feel their aspirations and potentials have been overlooked, leading to a sense of marginalization.
Injustice: The absence of primaries is seen as an injustice that could lead to internal protests within the party.
Disconnection from the Youth Demographic: The youths fear that a ticket dominated by older nominees will not resonate with the needs of the majority of the electorate, which is youthful.
The petitioners are calling on Governor Okpebholo, to intervene and ensure a transparent and inclusive nomination process. They are requesting a review of the current process to accommodate more youthful candidates.
The petition also warns of potential consequences if their concerns are not addressed, citing the risk of mass defections and internal conflicts, similar to what has been seen in recent times where prominent APC members have reportedly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to internal crises.
The petition concludes with a statement of belief in the governor's leadership and a hope for prompt action on the matter.
As of now, the governor's office has not released an official statement regarding the petition.
The petition, signed by Festus Ese on behalf of the youths, highlights the alleged imposition of elderly candidates, including a 77-year-old, without a primary election.
According to the petition, the nomination of candidate Evans Okunrobo has sparked "widespread discontent" among the younger population.
The youths argue that this process undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity, denying them the opportunity to participate in the political process and bring fresh perspectives to governance.
Their concerns, as outlined in the petition, include:
Lack of Representation: The youth feel their aspirations and potentials have been overlooked, leading to a sense of marginalization.
Injustice: The absence of primaries is seen as an injustice that could lead to internal protests within the party.
Disconnection from the Youth Demographic: The youths fear that a ticket dominated by older nominees will not resonate with the needs of the majority of the electorate, which is youthful.
The petitioners are calling on Governor Okpebholo, to intervene and ensure a transparent and inclusive nomination process. They are requesting a review of the current process to accommodate more youthful candidates.
The petition also warns of potential consequences if their concerns are not addressed, citing the risk of mass defections and internal conflicts, similar to what has been seen in recent times where prominent APC members have reportedly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to internal crises.
The petition concludes with a statement of belief in the governor's leadership and a hope for prompt action on the matter.
As of now, the governor's office has not released an official statement regarding the petition.
Comments