The selection of the All Progressives Congress’s candidate for the Edo State gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024, has sparked a new controversy inside the party.
The party’s declared gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was rejected by Dennis Idahosa, the first runner-up in the just finished primary.
According to the media, Okpebholo has received congratulations from other candidates for governor, including Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the recent Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, the former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Idahosa, however, said that the “fictitious results” announced by the committee chaired by Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State marked the highest level of democratic rape ever seen in Edo State in a statement made accessible to reporters in Benin City.
“Your votes appeared not to have counted based on the procedure and announcement of fake primary election results of what transpired on the field on the 22nd rerun elections in the 192 wards of the State, which may have been very disheartening and discouraging to many people over the course of the last few days.
He continued, “Let me assure you all, our teaming supporters that, where that doesn’t work, I shall communicate with you all on our next line of action. I shall explore all the party internal mechanisms to resolve the issues and seek justice.”
However, the National Assembly member for the Ovia Federal Constituency thanked all of his followers for their overwhelming and steadfast support of his desire to lead the party in the September 21, 2024, Edo gubernatorial election.
He promised his fans that he would never take their affection and trust for granted, but he also promised to look into every internal party mechanism in order to pursue justice.
He further stated that he would inform his followers of his next course of action if the internal mechanisms failed to provide him with the justice he was expecting.
Nonetheless, Idahosa urged his followers to uphold tranquility despite provocations.
Recall that Hope Uzodinma, the former chairman of the primary election commission and governor of Imo State, proclaimed Idahosa the winner of the postponed primary poll.
In contrast, Prince Clem Agba said in a statement titled “My Stand on the Outcome of APC’s Governorship Primary Election” that he has chosen to serve the party’s interests “as a loyal party man” in a different development.
“I have congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his candidacy and assured him of my support in the journey to Osadebe Avenue,” he declared over the phone.
As a result, I’m using this platform to ask my followers to stand with me in supporting Senator Monday Okpebholo so that we can win the Party’s governorship race in September. Let’s act in the best interests of our Party to win Edo State.
“Let me also express my gratitude to my whole campaign council and crew for a flawless race. We succeeded in elevating the discourse and demonstrating that our state can be transformed with the appropriate policies and initiatives.
“All of the candidates deserve my gratitude for putting on a strong competition and demonstrating the true viability of the Edo APC.
As candidates, supporters, and Party members, let us know that even if we all may have different problems with the current process, we must band together for the good of the Party and struggle to win the general elections.
The only way to win is for APC Edo to stay together, thus we must make sure of that. There is certainly a long road ahead, but one that bodes well for Edo State’s future. As the general elections draw near, I hope that we can work together to mend and create a future worth living.
“In closing, I would want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your steadfast support and faith in our goal. My campaign has been propelled by your enthusiasm and commitment, and for that, I am truly appreciative of each of you.
“Once more, I extend my congratulations to our party’s candidate for governor and wish him the discernment and foresight to bring the Party together in pursuit of our shared objective.”
Okpebholo was also congratulated by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe.
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