Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Enahoro Iyemefokhai
Published on 2024-03-02 16:20:41
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been embroiled in a crisis over the conduct of its governorship primaries. The situation escalated when a member of the House of Representatives, Billy Osawaru, called for the arrest and prosecution of the state chairman and publicity secretary of the party, Jarrett Tenebe and Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, respectively. Osawaru alleged that his life and the lives of his family members were being threatened by these individuals following the Edo State Governorship primaries.
In a petition dated February 27, 2024, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Osawaru outlined the harassment and threats he had been facing as a result of the primaries. He also copied the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, and the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
Osawaru, who represents the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency, expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions taken by the state Executives during the primaries, stating that they did not align with the party’s principles and procedures. He organized a peaceful protest to voice his grievances, only to be met with harassment, threats, and accusations from Tenebe and Uwadiae-Igbinigie.
The lawmaker emphasized that these actions were a violation of his constitutional rights to life and dignity as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. He called for Tenebe and Uwadiae-Igbinigie to be questioned, interrogated, and possibly prosecuted for their alleged misconduct. Osawaru also made it clear that should anything happen to him or his family, he holds the two individuals responsible.
In response to the petition, Peter Uwadiae, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, dismissed the allegations and stated that they should be ignored. He also denied being invited by the police for questioning.
The governorship primaries conducted on February 17 and 22 further exacerbated the situation within the party, leading to factionalism among its leadership. The conflicting claims to the governorship ticket by three aspirants during the primary on February 17 created chaos, with different officials declaring different winners.
The National Working Committee of the party deemed the exercise inconclusive and scheduled a continuation of the primary on February 22. Following the second phase of the primary, Senator Monday Okpebholo was declared as the governorship candidate of the party by the governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu.
The ongoing crisis within the Edo State APC highlights the internal divisions and power struggles that can occur during party primaries. The allegations of threats and harassment further underscore the need for transparent and fair election processes to maintain the integrity of the party and its members.
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