Politics
Edo 2024: Aggrieved party members demand sack of state exco, as Dekeri petitions APC NWC
…I won primaries with over 6,000 votes — Senator Okpebholo claims
By Elvis Omoregie, Benin
The crisis following the aftermath of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Saturday 17th primaries election has deepened with a section of party members demanding for the sack of the state exco of the party.
Some angry youths, women said to be members of the party on Monday took over the party’s Secretariat along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State demanding the sack of the state executive members led by acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe.
The youths who accused state party officials of an alleged plot to sabotage the APC in the September 21 governorship poll in Edo State, thereafter took over the Secretariat.
The development is believed to be a fallout of the February 17 APC governorship primary election, during which three aspirants are laying claim to victory.
The primary election, which took place on Saturday, was marred by clashes that resulted in severe injuries and widespread disruption.
The primary saw 12 aspirants initially cleared for participation by the party’s national leadership.
However, three candidates—Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, and Ernest Umakhihe—opted out before the polls opened. At the conclusion of the voting process, three individuals emerged as front-runners: Senator Monday Okpebholo of Edo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Dennis Idahosa of Ovia Federal Constituency, and Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri of Eksakor Federal Constituency.
Local Government returning officers for the primary election, led by Babatunde Ojo had however on Saturday declared Anamero Dekeri, a serving House of Representatives member, winner of the exercise.
The APC Youth leader in the State, Comrade. Tony Adun who is also known as Kabaka, and a leader in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Comrade Osarobo Idahosa, speaking with journalists accused the State APC leadership of working at cross purpose with the national leadership of the Party.
Adun alleged that the state officials collected the sum of $250,000 bribe from a certain guber aspirant who is laying claim to victory at the Party’s February 17, guber primary.
He said, “Hon. Idahosa, 43, won Saturday primary as announced by Hope Uzodinma, the chairman of the APC electoral committee.
“We the youths are saying this is our time. And a youth has emerged. We the youths will resist the SWC members working against him (Idahosa).
“I want to tell the National Working Committee that members of the State Working Committee (SWC) disobeying their directives should be suspended from the party,” he stated.
The National leadership of the party had affirmed Dennis Idahosa as the APC candidate. The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje congratulated him on his victory.
However, members of the State Working Committee in a statement by its spokesman, Barr. Igbinigie Uwadia countered the national decision, and affirmed the primary result announced by Dr. Stanley Ugboajah.
…As Dekeri petitions APC NWC
Similarly, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, one of the three gubernatorial candidates that emerged from Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship primary election in Edo state, has petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s National Working Committee.
In a move to protest the results declared by the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma affirming Dennis Idahosa as winner of the exercise, Dekeri had on Monday stormed the secretariat at about 1:10 pm formally presented a letter requesting the Ganduje-led NWC to immediately issue him a certificate of return.
The federal lawmaker who spent less than 10 minutes at the secretariat had earlier made straight for the office of the National Chairman and presented the one-page letter.
It was learned that the one-page letter personally signed by him requested the NWC to issue him with the certificate of return, having polled the highest votes in the election and having been returned by the local government returning officers.
…I won primaries with over 6,000 votes — Senator Okpebholo claims
Another candidate who claims to have emerged winner from Saturday’s All Progressives Congress APC Governorship Primary Election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has revealed how he defeated his closest rival, Dennis Idahosa with over 6,000 votes to emerge victorious.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, Senator Okpebholo said though thugs disrupted the collation, the final tally shows that he won convincingly with a commanding majority.
Urging his supporters to remain calm and that justice will be served at the end of the day, the Edo Central senator said as candidate of the party, he is certain of reclaiming the State for the APC.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to thank and appreciate all APC members of Edo State for nominating me as the Party’s Candidate for the governorship election come September 2024. I am immensely humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me.
“You will recall that the National Working Committee NWC of our great Party, APC, nominated highly reputable officials to officiate in the primary election scheduled for the 17th of February 2024 with Dr. Stanley Ugboaja, as the State Returning Officer.
“After the primary election, which was adjudged to be very peaceful, the collation of results commenced at the designated centre by the collation officials in the presence of INEC officials, the Press, the law enforcement agencies and other party stalwarts.
“Surprisingly, while the collation of results was ongoing and upon the declaration of eight local governments, some irate thugs, suspectedly commissioned by my closest rival, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who had only won two local Governments as against my six, stormed the venue of the state collation center and disrupted the process by beating up collation officials, party representatives, the press crew and others.
“To my amazement and that of well-meaning members of our great party in Edo State, information currently reaching me from Benin City, Edo State has it that the same thugs that disrupted the collation of results as earlier stated, also invaded the State Secretariat of the party early this morning, destroyed and looted valuables in the offices in the guise of purportedly looking for the result of the primary election, which was never conducted by the State Executives of the party.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the State Returning Officer, Dr. Stanley Ugboaja and other members of the Committee for their resilience in continuing the collation and subsequent official declaration of final results after the urgent medical attention rendered to the injured members.
“It is now on record that the total votes scored by me is twelve thousand, one hundred and forty-five (12,145) as against my closest rival who scored only five thousand, five hundred and thirty-six votes (5,536).
“As a result, I enjoin you not to be deterred by rumours from other quarters as I am very optimistic that justice will prevail in the end. I am convinced that the National Working Committee of our great party, under the able leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will ensure that truth will prevail over falsehood. I remain loyal to my party and to Mr. President, a universally acknowledged democrat and a man of goodwill who is prepared to change the fortunes of our dear nation.
“I am also convinced beyond doubt that our great party, the APC, is well positioned to reclaim Edo State and set her on the path of sustainable and holistic development in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda.
“Let me use this medium to plead with all those affected by the unprovoked attack to shield their swords as two wrongs cannot make a right. This is an in-house squabble and should be treated as such.”
The Labour Party has demanded immediate release of Dr Chigbo Okoli, Chairman, sub-Committee on Registration and Revalidation of its National Transition Committee (NTC).
Tha party made the demand in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NTC, Mr Abdulwahed Omar and Mr Nnawuihe Nwauwa, respectively
In the statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the party officials said Okoli was arrested by persons suspected to be officers of the Nigeria Police Force and had been held incommunicado.
“On Tuesday, the 25th of June 2024, around 2pm, gun-wielding armed policemen swooped on Dr Okoli after he left the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Federal
Capital Territory Command.
“They arrested him in a gestapo manner, without informing him of the offence he was suspected to have committed. Neither was he allowed to contact his lawyer nor any family member,” they said.
The officials added that Okoli has been held incommunicado since the time of his arrest and neither charged to court nor released on administrative bail.
They described Okoli as “a peaceful and law-abiding citizen of Nigeria that has neither been arrested nor accused of committing a crime”.
“Every attempt by his family, Attorneys and associates to access him has been unsuccessful.
“This is in clear violation of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other statutes,” they said.
The party officials called on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, among other security agencies, to ensure the immediate and safe release of Okoli forthwith.
The Secretaries to the Government of APC-controlled states have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Progressive Governors for their outstanding leadership and governance.
In a communiqué issued after their quarterly meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Secretaries expressed their appreciation for the progress made under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They acknowledged the positive impact of the Governors’ policies and investments, which have led to economic growth and stability.
The meeting focused on strategies to support the Governors in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and finalising common policy frameworks in key governance areas.
The Secretaries reaffirmed their belief in the Agenda’s significance and praised the President and Governors for their exemplary leadership during this critical period in Nigeria’s history.
They pledged their unwavering support to the Progressive Governors in their mission to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all citizens.
Furthermore, the Secretaries praised the proactive measures taken by the Progressive Governors to ensure the security and well-being of all Nigerians.
As a result, they agreed to collaborate on establishing a framework for State Police to enhance security within the States.
The Secretaries to the Government of APC-controlled states have pledged their backing for a State Bill on Student Loans, aimed at boosting youth development and education in their respective states.
They also vowed to support the Progressive Governors in enhancing power supply across their states, acknowledging the crucial role of reliable electricity infrastructure in fostering job creation and economic growth.
Furthermore, the Secretaries encouraged all citizens to maintain their support for the leaders and actively engage in shaping a prosperous future for Nigeria.
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The controversies surrounding the leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) Party seems to have been brought to rest as a Federal high court sitting in Abuja dismissed the suit filed by some members of the Party challenging the Party’s National Convention held in Abeokuta which produced Adekunle Omo-Aje as the National Chairman of the Party.
Delivering his judgement, Justice James Omotosho, held that the officers produced by the National Convention are recognised officials of the Party.
According to him, the election was conducted in line with the Party’s constitution, saying the National Convention held at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC.)
Reacting to the judgement, the National Chairman of the Party, Hon. Adekunle Omo-Aje described it as an end to the controversies surrounding the leadership of the Party.
“This case that we won today was not initiated by Kenneth Udeze, it was Ukadike Chinedu and Amb. Abdulrasheed, the former National Secretary of the Party, and Esther Esevohare, the Former Women Leader. They are the ones who took me and my National Executives to this Court, about our National Convention.
“Today’s ruling according to him is a victory for the rule of law and our democracy. I commend the judiciary for its uprightness. I agree with the position of the Hon. Justice Omotosho that there should be an end to litigation.
“Indeed, the Nigerian system of justice is improving before our very eyes or generation. By the grace of God, Action Alliance will never fall into the hands of dishonest and untrustworthy leaders.
“I further commend the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Maitama during the pendency of this suit. Together, we can deepen democracy in Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that some members of the Action Alliance (AA) have sued Adekunle Omo-Aje, the party’s national chairman, over the conduct of the national convention.
The aggrieved members led by Ugochukwu Ogbuji, deputy national publicity secretary of the party, filed the suit before the federal high court in Abuja.
Ogbuji said the national convention ought not to have been conducted since the current tenure of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members was yet to expire.
“They went to Olusegun Obasanjo’s Library in Ogun State on October 7, 2023, and did what they called selective election without the consent of the National Working Committee (NWC) and NEC of the party,” he said.
“There was no meeting that was held that the NWC took a decision that we should have a national convention.”
Ogbuji alleged that some of those who attended the convention were not members of AA.
According to him, the plaintiffs did not bother to explore the internal mechanisms of the party to settle the dispute because Omo-Aje would not listen to advice.
The plaintiffs are praying for the court to set aside the convention which was held on October 7.
They also want the court to compel Omo-Aje to produce his senior secondary school certificate examination (SSCE) certificate which is the minimum qualification required to be the national chairman of AA.
“We are now approaching the court that if such a person has the basic requirement, he should present it to the court,” he said.
“That is what makes him the national chairman. We are saying that the court should ask him to produce it.
“Let us know if he has it or not. For now, we have not seen it. Let him present it to the court.”
Other plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1447/2023, include Amb. Suleiman Abdulrasheed the former National secretary Esther Esevohare, the former national women leader; Deborah Banjo, former national treasurer; Samuel Oboro, former financial secretary; Mike Madu, former national youth leader; Chinedu Ukadike, an ex-officio of Southeast; Sunday John-Bull, the ex-officio of south-south, and Isa Haladu.
Bi-Courtney debunks ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2
Nigerians spend over N16.5trn annually on fuel, servicing generator – Adelabu
