The APC governorship primary in Edo State, held last Saturday, spiralled into chaos as conflicting declarations emerged, with three individuals purportedly declared winners. This development has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the party’s internal democratic processes and sparked allegations of manipulation. Initially, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State announced House of Representatives member Dennis Idahosa as the victor, garnering 40,453 votes.
However, the situation escalated when another returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner with 12,145 votes at the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Adding to the confusion, local government returning officers, led by Ojo Babatunde, announced Anamero Dekeri as the winner with 25,384 votes. The conflicting declarations plunged the party into disarray, prompting the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to preemptively congratulate Idahosa on securing the party’s governorship flag-bearership.
This move exacerbated tensions, with aggrieved APC stakeholders, led by Emmanuel Godwin, accusing Uzodimma of prematurely declaring a winner before completing collation. They vehemently rejected the results and appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Ganduje to disregard them. The situation in Edo State underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to democratic principles within the APC. As the party navigates this crisis, it must prioritise resolving internal disputes and restoring confidence in its electoral processes to uphold the integrity of democratic norms and values.
Host: Kofi Bartels
Guests:
1. Kassim Afegbua, APC member, Abuja, Nigeria
2. Paul Stanislaus, Legal Practitioner, Abuja, Nigeria
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