Emperor Jarret Tenebe, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has denied rumours that he and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a national party leader, are at odds, and he has insisted that Governor Monday Okpebholo continues to head the party in the state.
Speaking to reporters at his Benin City home on Sunday, Tenebe provided the explanation.After serving under a caretaker arrangement after his predecessor, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), resigned to run for governor in 2024, he assured party members that the APC would hold ward, local government, and state congresses without rancour. He also expressed confidence in becoming the substantive state chairman. Tenebe responded to rumours of internal strife by stating that Edo State’s party leadership is unified and committed to securing its most recent electoral success.
“The leader of the party in Edo State is the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo. There have been insinuations that Senator Adams Oshiomhole and I are not working together, but that is very far from the truth,” he stated.
He clarified that the only time they had a quarrel was when he insisted on due process during the party primaries.
“I pushed for what I believed was right, and once that was resolved, we all moved on. After the primaries, we campaigned together, we won together, and since then we have continued to work together. There are absolutely no cracks on the wall,” Tenebe continued.
The APC chairman stated that he did not anticipate a change in leadership for the upcoming congresses, characterising the current party structure as a winning squad.
“I have been acting, and this will be my first term as substantive chairman. I do not think the party will change a team that has delivered success. Our next task is to support the government to succeed. As party chairman, it is my duty to stand with the governor, defend him, and ensure that he delivers the dividends of democracy promised to the people,” he said.
Tenebe also clarified the party’s strategy for giving President Bola Tinubu 3.5 million votes in the general election in 2027.
He asserts that widespread mobilisation, opposition party defections, and higher voting turnout will enable the number to be reached.
“By next week, we expect to receive all Labour Party local government chairmen into the APC. We have also held meetings with 16 PDP local government chairmen who are defecting. If you look closely, the opposition has already collapsed,” he claimed.
According to a voter registration analysis, Edo State has over three million registered voters, many of whom currently live outside the state, he continued.
“I have been travelling across the country to meet Edo people who registered at home, encouraging them to return during the election. We have also concluded plans with donors to provide logistics to bring them back,” Tenebe stated.
