‘Politicians In ADC Were Threat Before’ – Edo APC Chairman, Tenebe

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has stated that politicians in the African Democratic Party (ADC) are no longer a threat to the ruling party.

Abia Radio News reports that Tenebe, speaking during an interview on PFm TV, insisted that the ruling party remained firmly in control and focused on membership expansion and electoral mobilisation.

Tenebe attributed recent criticisms from the ADC to internal crises within the opposition party, including alleged disputes over the party’s state secretariat.

According to him, the APC was currently preoccupied with electronic registration of members, noting that several political parties were collapsing into the ruling party both in Edo State and across the country.

He said, “I don’t think we have anything to do with them because they are not a threat. Maybe they were a threat before, but they are not a threat now. Do you use a sledgehammer to kill an ant? We don’t do that.

“If they are directing the crisis they have within their party, which possibly affected their fighting and has to do with their secretariat, they should check themselves. APC is a disciplined and focused party.

“Right now, we are doing e-registration because a lot of parties have collapsed into the APC. Our membership strength has grown beyond what we even imagined.” 

Tenebe further stated that the ADC does not exist in Edo State, claiming that only a few prominent individuals, like two former APC leaders, Odigie-Oyegun and Oserheimen Osunbor, were associated with the party.

The APC chairman also alleged that Odigie-Oyegun and Osunbor owed outstanding party dues from their time in the ruling party.

He stated, “We don’t even know whether ADC exists in Edo State. The only people I know in ADC here are John Odigie-Oyegun and Oserheimen Osunbor. Those are the tired leaders I know.

“When they were members of the APC and achieved everything they achieved, they never paid dues. We have calculated those dues and they are huge. Very soon, we will visit them to come and pay that money.” 

While reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, Tenebe restated that Edo State will deliver 3.5 million votes for him.

He stressed, “We promised 3.5 million votes to the President. If my hand will be an impediment, I will cut it off. If it is my head, I will cut it off.”

Tenebe also praised the performance of APC governors, particularly in Edo State, saying their achievements were strengthening the party’s electoral prospects.

He added, “When you see a governor performing from the first year, you already know what to expect. What the governor is doing is campaigning for us,” he said, drawing parallels with Lagos State, which he described as a model of sustained APC governance.

“They should face their own problems and leave us. This state will remain with APC for a very long time.”