Fresh crisis has hit the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the election of the party’s candidate for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
Dennis Idahosa, the first runner-up in the just concluded primary election, has rejected the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
Other governorship aspirants which include Prince Clem Agba, the former minister of Budget and Economic Planning to former President Muhammadu Buhari and Dr Ernest Umakhihe, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, have congratulated Okpebholo for being elected as the party’s flag bearer.
However, Idahosa, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, alleged that the “fictitious results” declared by Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State-led committee represented the highest level of rape on democracy ever witnessed in Edo State.
“Events in the last few days may have been very disappointing and demoralizing to lots of people as your votes seemed not to have counted going by the process and declaration of fictitious primary election results of what happened on the field on the 22nd re-run elections in the 192 wards of the State.
Let me assure you all, our teaming supporters that, I shall explore all the party internal mechanisms to resolve the issues, and seeks justice and where that doesn’t work, I shall communicate with you all on our next line of action,” he said.
The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, however, appreciated his supporters across the state for their massive and unwavering support towards his ambition of becoming the party’s flag bearer in the September 21, 2024, Edo gubernatorial election.
While assuring his supporters that he would never take their show of love and confidence for granted, he, however, vowed to explore all the internal mechanisms of the party to seek justice.
Idahosa, however, appealed to his supporters to continue to maintain peace in the face of provocation.
It will be recalled that Idahosa was declared winner of the cancelled primary election by Imo State governor and erstwhile chairman of the primary election committee, Hope Uzodinma.
However, in a separate development, Prince Clem Agba, in a statement titled, ‘My Stand on the Outcome of APC’s Governorship Primary Election, said he has decided to work in the best interest of the party “as a loyal party man”.
“I, therefore, use this medium to call on my supporters to join me in working with Senator Monday Okpebholo for the Party’s governorship election victory in September. Let us do what is best for our Party to secure victory in Edo State.
“Also, let me thank all the members of my campaign council and team for a well-run race. We were able to elevate the conversation and show that there is hope and a place for the right policies and initiatives to transform our state.
