Pin It
Friday 29th March 2024,
Hope for Nigeria

Edo 2016: Presidency wades into APC crisis

•As Appeal Committee invites forensic experts to analyse ballot, says allegation weighty

By Omeiza Ajayi

Disturbed by the possibility of losing its only state in the South-South, the Presidency has waded into the crisis generated in the aftermath of the June 18 governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Odubu and Obaseki

Odubu and Obaseki

The presidency’s intervention came as the Appeals Committee affirmed that it would not blink an eye before cancelling the result should what it claimed as the weighty allegations raised against the conduct of the exercise be proved.

Saturday Vanguard gathered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Babachir David Lawal had Thursday night chaired a parley with the aspirants and the party’s candidate, Godwin Obaseki.

Among those who attended the meeting included the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Blessing Agbomhere, Peter Esele as well as a former governor of Edo state, Osariehemen Osunbor.

Others were the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, Hon. Samson Osagie, Ken Imasuagbon, and Gen. Charles Airhiabvere.

Vanguard learnt that the presidency decided to intervene in the matter in order not to lose the only APC state in the South-South to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a chat with journalists at the end of the meeting, one of the aspirants, Blessing Agbomhere said; “I was very critical before the elections and anybody will attest to the fact that I was a very vibrant aspirant during the contest, but you see, I am a man who is loyal to the party and this administration run by the APC.

“I agree that Obaseki has won and as a member of the party, I will do everything possible to support him to ensure APC wins Edo State and why I must make that sacrifice is the peculiar nature of Edo State.

Also, former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and aspirant at the primary election, Peter Esele said: “It’s a family meeting, the process is ongoing.”
APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni, said: “It’s a family meeting, you can see the smile on everybody’s face. Don’t call anybody aggrieved; we can have a disagreement as members of the same family, we will resolve our disagreement and work together.

Election Appeal C’ttee mulls cancellation of results

Meanwhile, the Opeyemi Bamidele-led Edo state Primary Election Appeal Committee could not submit its report on Friday for reasons, the committee said were weighty.

Although members of the committee were at the national secretariat of the party, they said the allegations contained in the petitions submitted by Messrs Imansuangbon and Ogiemwonyi could not just be glossed over.
Bamidele also hinted at the possibility of cancelling the exercise should there be grounds to tow that line.

“I want to assure all of you, cancelling this primary is not something we are going to blink an eye if it becomes so necessary based on our findings; not only our findings as laymen but also on findings based on expertise that has been placed at the disposal of our committee. We are inviting those who are experts in forensic analysis also to look into some of these issues because it is either it is not true, or it is true. If it is true that the integrity of the ballot papers was compromised then, definitely there is no way the result of such primary election can stand. And I don’t think it is an issue we are going to lose any sleep over.

“It is not about the number of petitioners we have, just two out of 12, but it is about the issues they raised; a lot of the issues are very weighty, very sensitive issues that could not be swept under the carpet.

“Some of the issues for instance have to do with the integrity of the ballot papers that were used to conduct the primaries in Benin City and as far as we are concerned we felt that there is no way we could conclude this and submit a report to the party without having to do some manual inspection and possible forensic analysis of the ballot papers if justice on this matter would be done.”

Vanguard News

If you enjoyed this article FEEL Free to TIP Hope for Nigeria Online:


Any Amount Welcome 🙂


Paypal: Paypal.me/hopefornigeria


Do you have story and would like it to be published on Hope for Nigeria? or want to Place Adverts on the Website, If yes email us at moyo@hopefornigeriaonline.com

Like this Article? Share it!

Leave A Response