Despite the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo representing Edo Central in the National Assembly as the the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election, supporters of Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives, on Monday stormed the national Headquarters of the party in Abuja to protest against the outcome of February 22 rerun primary, over alleged irregularities.
The protest came barely 48 hours after Idahosa and the Youth Leader of the party in Edo State, Anthony Edun, popularly known as Tony Kabaka led supporters to protest against the primary.
Idahosa who had threatened to drag the APC to court, was one of the aspirants who lost out in the primary but refused to accept defeat and congratulate Okpebholo, even though others have done so.
On Monday, the protesters, blocked the main gate of the national secretariat and demanded to see the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, to demand for justice.
The pro-Idahosa supporters who carried banners and placards with different inscriptions, alleged that the election did not follow the constitution of the APC .
They appealed to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to revert to the initial February 17 primary.
The leader of the protesters, Innocent Ogedengbe, argued that the conduct of the re-run poll was contrary to what is contained in the Electoral Act and Constitution of the APC.
He said, “The said primaries of February 22, 2024 did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 as aspirants were not given equal opportunities of being voted for by party members at the designated centers at the wards that make up Edo State. The party members present to vote did not have their votes cast recorded by any known office of the party’s National Secretariat.
“Quite clearly, the result sheets used were completed in the national secretariat of the party as it did not flow from the reality on ground in Edo State. The said primaries of February 17 and 22 2024 were not conducted by open secret ballot by APC as required by relevant provisions of APC constitution and the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo is not only unlawful, but a crass violation of the APC constitution.
“Our strong prayer is that the injustice perpetrated by the Governor Bassey Otu committee be set aside by the party and Hon. Dennis Idahosa be rightfully declared winner on the strength of available extant documentary evidence. Let justice be done.”
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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