Edo 2024: Confusion As Thugs Disrupt APC Primary, Attack Journalists

• Two More Aspirants Withdraw • Only Result Announced By Uzodimma- led Committee Is Authentic, Says NWC

Spolitical thugs, yesterday, disrupted the collation of results of the All Progressiv es Congress ( APC) governorship primary in Edo State.

The thugs invaded the collation centre at a popular hotel in Benin City despite being aired live on television. Results from eight local councils had already been announced when journalists covering the event were alerted to vacate the collation centre.

But before journalists c ould gather their working tools and personal belongings, the thugs swooped on the venue, overpowering the police operatives at the gate, leaving several journalists, including an NT A cameraman and FRCN rep orter manhandled and their equipment vandalised.

The presence of the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, and party officials at the collation centre did not deter the hoodlums from engaging in free for all.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee of the APC, yesterday, denied a live broadcast on major national television stations and online news outlets of results of the ongoing Edo State APC Governorship Primary.

In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, said: “I wish to state categorically that only the Governor Hope Uzodinma- led Edo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee is duly authorised to undertake final collation and announcement of results of the primary election in the state.

“We urge all party members, officials and the general public to disregard the said announcement of results by these unauthorised persons,” he said.

Earlier, former Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen and Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, in separate statements, announced their withdrawal from the primary.