By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—CRISIS is looming in the Edo State Action Congress, AC, following alleged plans by a top member of the state executive of the party to manipulate the forthcoming senatorial primaries in Edo North senatorial district in favour of a particular candidate.

Vanguard learnt that the AC leader (names withheld), had collected millions of naira from a particular senatorial aspirant with a view to buying up the delegates that will vote in the primaries.

It was learnt that qualified delegates who are perceived “not loyal” to the cause would be de-registered. It was alleged  that this particular AC leader had collected millions of naira from other aspirants jostling for the 2011 general elections and had even warned that  aspirants, even councilors, who failed to come and see him before the primaries,  would have themselves to blame.

It was learnt that some aspirants who are not money bags have called for the removal of the said AC leader before the primaries, fearing that he would not conduct free and fair primaries as assured by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The Governor had on several occasions warned leaders of the party against extorting money from aspirants and stressed that only popular candidates approved by the people, would emerge for the general elections.

It will be recalled that a group, under the aegis of Network for Transparent Governance, had last month called for the reconstitution of the state executive of the party,  after they described the present leadership of the party, led by Prince Tony Omoaghe as “docile and unable to tackle the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  in the state.”

The group regretted that the leadership of the party allowed only the Governor to comment on political issues raised by the PDP, adding that, “they only sit in their offices and wait for aspirants to come as if they are market women waiting for customers.”