APC Caps or Leave the Park: Esan West LG Chairman Threatens Drivers

A video currently circulating online shows the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Albert Ebhodaghe, allegedly threatening to remove commercial drivers from motor parks in the council if they wear caps or political materials belonging to parties other than the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ebhodaghe gave the directive during a visit to the Onitsha Park in Ekpoma, where he told drivers that wearing APC-branded caps was part of efforts to support Governor Monday Okpebholo’s plan to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The council chairman described the directive as a “standing warning” and said drivers who failed to comply could lose access to the park.

He also directed park officials to distribute APC caps to the drivers present.

Ebhodaghe linked his directive to road projects carried out by the Okpebholo administration, arguing that improved roads had helped commercial drivers carry out their businesses.

He said supporting the APC was a way for the drivers to reciprocate what the administration had done for them.

The motor park directive is not the first political controversy linked to Ebhodaghe in recent days.

In a separate audio recording circulated online, a voice alleged to be that of the Esan West chairman was reported to have threatened action against hotel owners and business operators who allowed the National Democratic Congress, NDC, to hold political meetings on their premises.

The speaker in the recording allegedly threatened that buildings or businesses used for NDC meetings could be demolished.

That recording has been attributed to Ebhodaghe in published reports, but its authenticity has not been independently established.

The two incidents have raised questions over the use of local government authority in political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lawyers and opposition groups have separately warned against actions that could pressure citizens or business owners to support a particular political party.

The APC cap directive has also drawn attention because commercial drivers depend on access to public motor parks for their livelihoods.

Neither the right to use a public motor park nor access to a business premises is ordinarily tied to membership of a political party.

The developments come as political activities gradually increase in Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.