BENIN CITY- GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state Monday met with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central senatorial district of the state over the exit of the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi from the party.

All the leaders of the party from Igueben, Ikimi’s domain where at the party and they all pledged their loyalty to the APC, echoing that “chief Ikimi did not consult us before his exit from the party and we are aware that he left because he was not given the National Chairman of the APC, that is his personal problem, as a result we are not going to PDP with him”.

CEOAFRICA learnt that the meeting between the governor and the APC leaders from that area became necessary since the structure of the party was left in the hands of Ikimi in Igueben. Ikimi produced the APC executives and the chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr Julius Asemota. The meeting was called for the purpose of carving out a new leadership ahead the forthcoming general elections.

Other leaders at the meeting which lasted till early hours of Monday was the senatorial Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Henry Okoror. The Chairman of the council, Mr Asemota who led other members of the council including councillors, declared that though he is a blood relation of Chief Ikimi but he does not intend to join the PDP with him.

After reassuring the Governor of their loyalty to the party, Oshiomhole charged them to prove it at the field, asserting that the forthcoming elections is a test case for the leaders whom he assured of his support for the growth of the party in the area.