A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Shaba Ehigiamusoe, has raised alarm over what he described as his systematic disenfranchisement within the party, accusing beneficiaries of the current political structure of enjoying the rewards of efforts they did not contribute to.

Ehigiamusoe made the allegation in an open broadcast addressed to the Governor of Edo State, expressing deep frustration over what he termed the erosion of loyalty, sacrifice, and grassroots mobilisation in the party’s internal reward system.

“Those Who Did Not Work Are Reaping the Rewards”

In the strongly worded broadcast, the APC stalwart lamented that individuals who played little or no role in the party’s struggles and electoral victories are now occupying strategic positions and enjoying the benefits of power, while long-standing loyalists have been sidelined.

“I am disenfranchised. Those who did not work are now enjoying the fruits of our labour,” Ehigiamusoe stated.

He described the situation as deeply demoralising, warning that continued marginalisation of committed party members could weaken internal cohesion and grassroots support ahead of future elections.

Appeal to the Governor

Ehigiamusoe appealed directly to the governor, urging him to intervene and restore fairness, equity, and recognition for those who laboured for the party during its formative and challenging periods.

He stressed that loyalty and sacrifice must be rewarded if the APC hopes to maintain unity and credibility among its supporters across Edo State.

Concerns Over Party Stability

Political observers note that the broadcast reflects growing unease within sections of the Edo APC, where internal grievances over appointments, recognition, and access to governance have increasingly found public expression.

Ehigiamusoe warned that ignoring the concerns of grassroots actors could create disillusionment, particularly among ward and local government structures that form the backbone of electoral mobilisation.

Call for Internal Reconciliation

The APC stalwart called for internal reconciliation and inclusive governance, emphasising that political success is sustained by fairness and acknowledgment of collective effort.

According to him, the strength of any ruling party lies not only in electoral victory but in how it treats those who sacrificed time, resources, and reputation for its growth.

Silence from Government, Party Leadership

As of the time of filing this report, no official response has been issued by the Edo State Government or the state leadership of the APC regarding Ehigiamusoe’s claims.

However, the open broadcast has sparked reactions among party members and political stakeholders, many of whom are calling for calm, dialogue, and transparent engagement within the party.

Why this matters

The public expression of disenfranchisement by a prominent APC figure highlights ongoing internal tensions that could shape political alignments and party strength in Edo State going forward.