Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Umar Audu
Published on 2024-02-21 17:31:15
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Emmanuel Odigie, has accused the Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, of stoking a crisis during the party’s primary election on Saturday. Mr. Oshiomole is alleged to be adamant about imposing his chosen candidate as the party’s candidate due to his alleged 2027 ambition of becoming the Senate President.
The chairman of the primary election committee and governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, had declared a member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, the winner of the election. However, two other aspirants, Anamero Dekeri, and Monday Okpebholo, also emerged as winners in parallel primaries conducted on Saturday.
Following protests by many stakeholders in the state, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party declared the election inconclusive. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, Mr. Odigie accused Mr. Oshiomhole of using hired thugs to harass voters, beat up party officials, and make away with their valuables during the botched exercise. He expressed concerned that these actions were being driven by Mr. Oshiomhole’s desire to use his chosen candidate to gain access to the Edo State Treasury to fund his ambition to be Senate president.
Mr. Odigie emphasized that the party had never experienced such thuggery during primaries and stressed that one man should not dictate what happens in Edo State. He called on the party’s NWC to appeal to Mr. Oshiomhole to allow peace in Edo and ensure free and fair primaries.
He also appealed to the lawmaker to retrace his steps and stop trying to destroy a party that had given him the opportunity to serve as governor, national chairman, and now senator. In conclusion, Mr. Odigie appreciated the APC’s NWC for their intervention in ensuring that the will of the people was not subverted by one man, but he stressed that the exercise would be in vain if the party’s leadership did not call Mr. Oshiomhole to order.
The situation in Edo State has raised concerns about the internal conflict within the APC, particularly with regards to the conduct of primary elections. It is imperative for the party’s leadership to address these issues and ensure that the democratic process is upheld. The allegations and unrest in Edo State highlight the importance of fairness, transparency, and democratic principles within political parties, and it is crucial for the APC to address these concerns in order to maintain the integrity of the party and the democratic process.
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