Edo Guber: As APC Primary Produces Two Candidates...
Adibe Emenyonu writes on the confusion that characterized the deadlock witnessed at Saturday’s primary poll to choose a candidate to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
The drama that played out in Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was envisaged because of the confusing feelers that pervaded the air before the commencment of the Saturday, February 17, 2024 governorship primary election. The tensed atmosphere showed that the process would most likely be manipulated to produce a predetermined candidate.
Before then, there were speculations that the Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, and leader of the party in the state, Adams Oshiomhole, had concluded plans to foist the candodature of Ovia Federal Constituency representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, on the party.
Twenty-four hours to the primary, a trending video by Oshiomhole, claimed that President Bola Tinubu had adopted Idahosa as the APC gubernatorial candidate for the September, 2024 poll in Edo state.
This, was however, debunked by the deputy Chairman of Edo state APC gubernatorial primaries committee and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, in a statement.
Otu who categorically dismissed the rumour that President Tinubu has anointed a particular aspirant for the Edo APC gubernatorial primaries, urged party faithfuls to disregard the lie by voting for their choice candidate last Saturday.
This perhaps fuelled counter narrative on the eve of the primaries that the Presidency had settled for an aspirant from Edo Central to be anointed for equity, justice and fair play, and that Senator Monday Okpebholo is the anointed candidate.
It was gathered that this same narrative of endorsement led to the withdrawal of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from the race with a directive to his supporters to cast their votes for Senator Monday Okpebholo having contested the gubernatorial election twice in 2016 and 2020 on the platforms of the PDP and the APC respectively.
Besides, a letter purportedly written by one of the aspirants, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, also gave credence to the Presidency’s reported endorsement of Edo Central candidate. In his letter of withdrawal from the race which was widely circulated, Imasuen was quoted to have said: “I write to you today with a heavy heart to announce my decision to withdraw from the gubernatorial primaries of our great party scheduled for tomorrow, 17th February 2024 in the interest of peace and unity of our great party.
“I have come to the conclusion that since our national working committee(NWC), in their wisdom, have expressed their preference for zoning the governorship position to Edo Central Senatorial district, it’s wise to align with the decision of the party.
“I am immensely grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me throughout this journey. Your dedication and passion have been the driving force behind my campaign.
“While this decision was not made lightly, I trust that you will understand and continue to support our party as we work together towards our shared goals.
“From the foregoing, I’m ready to support whoever emerges as our candidate in the primary election scheduled for tomorrow.
“Thank you once again for standing by my side. Together, we can make a difference and bring about positive change for Edo state. With sincerest gratitude H.E Lucky Imasuen.” But on Saturday as Okpebholo was reportedly winning the primary election, the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, announced Oshiomhole’s endorsed aspirant, Hon Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary election with 40, 448 votes.
Other aspirants score, according to him, are as follows: Prince Clem Agba 100 votes, Monday Okpebholo 100 votes, Sunday Dekeri 2,030 votes, Osagie Ize-Iyamu 2 votes, Gideon Ikhine 700 votes, David Imuse 400 votes, Charles Airhiavbere 162 votes Oserhiemen Osunbor 180 votes, Blessing Agbomhere 50 votes, Dennis Idahosa 4,453 votes, Ernest Umakhihe 2 votes and Lucky Imasuen 2 votes.
Uzodimma who was flanked by the deputy chairman of the committee and governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu; Committee Secretary, Lawan Garba and other members, said: “This is the certify that Dennis Idahosa having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner of the primary election”, while explaining that members of the Committee arrived Benin on Friday and had critical discussions with all stakeholders and conducted the primaries.