Edo APC Crisis Escalates...Idahosa Drags Party, Okpebholo to Court over "Fictitious" Primary

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By Reporter

The last may not have been heard of the controversial governorship primary that was conducted by the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, on February 22, 2024.

Midwest Herald gathered earlier today, March 1, 2024, that the reported winner of the problematic election, Mr. Dennis Idahosa has eventually dragged his party and the parallel winner, Mr. Monday Okpebholo to court, over what he called the unconstitutional decision by the APC.

The law firm of Wole Olanipekun and Co. has filled a suit No. WOC/LG/Vol.1/082/2024, dated 29th February 2024, challenging the rescheduled primary election, which Idahosa has described as a charade.

It will be recalled that Federal Legislator was declared winner by the Governor Hope Uzodinma Edo Primary Election Committee on February 17, 2024 after the conclusion of a widely believed successful primary.

L-R: Okpebholo, Idahosa tango over APC ticket

One other aspirant, Mr. Monday Okpebholo was also declared winner at a private residence in Benin City, and in the ensuing confusion, the exercise was declared inconclusive, even in the face of allegations of financial inducement of the electoral officers and some members of the Edo State APC Working Committee.

The rescheduled exercise held on February 22, 2024, saw a one-sided contest across the state, that witnessed the absence of other aspirants in several of the wards where voting took place.

The anticipated results was delayed for more than 12 hours, before Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, who was the Chairman of the revised APC Edo Gubernatorial Election Committee, announced Senator Monday Okpebholo winner with a total number of 12,433 votes and awarded Idahosa 6,541votes.

Immediately after the announcement of the results, Idahosa had vowed to get justice.

“I will never take this show of love and confidence for granted going forward.

“The declaration of fictitious primary election results by the Sen. Bassey Otu’s Committee represents the highest level of rape on democracy ever witnessed in Edo State.

“Events in the last few days may have been very disappointing and demoralising to lots of people as your votes seemed not to have counted going by the process and declaration of fictitious primary election results of what happened on the field on the 22nd of February re-run elections in the 192 wards of the state.

“Let me assure you all, our teaming supporters that, I shall explore all the party internal mechanisms to resolve the issues, and seeks justice and where that doesn’t work, I shall communicate with you all on our next line of action,” Idahosa promised.