Former Governor of Edo State and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole seems to have won the first round in his battle over the soul of the party in Edo State.

At a meeting of the APC South-South late Thursday night in Abuja, Oshiomhole got the backing of members of the party from the zone as a vote of confidence was passed on him.

Party Chieftains at the meeting expressed worry about the attitude of some members in the zone working against the national chairman.

The meeting was presided over by the National Vice-Chairman South-South, Hillard Eta and was attended by elders and leaders of the party . They include Chief Don Etiebet, Senator Ndoma Egba, Senator Ita Enang and Chief Umanah Umanah.

Notably absent were the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio and his Transportation counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi.

The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo Agege, who described Oshiomhole as “our own that must not be antagonised,” appealed for support for the former Edo State governor.

He said, “Why are we antagonising our own? We have to stand by him. The party in the zone hasn’t fared very well. It is important to close ranks against the raging war.”

Eta also appealed to aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and work together.

“In Edo and Rivers states, we must find a solution to the problem. I want to beg all warring parties to sheathe their swords,” he added.

Oshiomhole expressed delight over the large turnout of members despite the cynicism that trailed the open invitation to all members of the South-South caucus.

He acknowledged the raging crisis in Edo State but said he was determined to make concessions for genuine reconciliation.

At the end of the meeting, Omo Agege was elected as the APC leader in the South-South zone.

A committee was set up to look into the crisis rocking the Edo and Cross River states’ chapters of the party.