APC Edo North Leaders Deny Endorsing Idahosa as Candidate Ahead of Guber Primary Election
- APC leaders in the Edo North region have refuted claims of endorsing Dennis Idahosa, one of the aspirants for the party's gubernatorial primary election
- The rebuttal follows video clips circulating on social media suggesting that a preferred candidate has been selected
- The APC is set to hold its primary election for the Edo governorship, with 12 persons expressing interest
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Edo state - The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State North Chapter has strongly denied endorsing any candidate, particularly Dennis Idahosa, ahead of the gubernatorial primary election scheduled to take place on February 17, 2024.
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Rumours had been circulating that prominent figures within the APC in Edo North had thrown their support behind Idahosa, a governorship aspirant.
In a chat with Legit.ng, Mommoh Cletus, a stalwart of APC in Edo North, described the rumours as false, noting that the party only wants a free and fair election.
He said:
" We are tired of being in the opposition and we want the best candidate to win. We are against imposition by any leader and we also don’t want any person with questionable character to emerge as our party flag bearer. Let all aspirant go to the field and test their popularity. We have not endorsed Dennis Idahosa."
He also alleged that the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomole, had been trying to impose Dennis Idahosa, a former commissioner, on the party faithful.
APC Edo promises a free and fair primary election
Similarly, in a statement made available to Legit.ng and signed by Prince Peter Uwadiae Igbinigie, APC Publicity Secretary, the party described the adoption of particular candidates as false.
The statement reads:
"The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State Chapter is aghast and seriously disturbed about the video clips making the rounds on social media, that some unscrupulous, divisive and sponsored members of the Local Government and Ward Executives of the party from Edo North Senatorial District have sinisterly. most condemnably and pointlessly adopted Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa as the candidate of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.
"It is instructive to note that this ignoble act of these persons is not only antithetical to the position of the party but a deliberate attempt to infest the party with disharmony."
He stressed that the party is ready to screen all candidates and give everyone a chance to be selected.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee have invited the 12 eminent Aspirants that purchased the forms of the party to appear before the screening committee to be set up by it in line with the dictate, spirit and intendment of the party constitution, for screening between the 8th and 9th of February, 2024.
"It is the resolved of the party that these Aspirants when cleared by the said screening committee, shall participate in the primaries fixed for 17th of February, 2024 and a level playing ground shall be provided for all the aspirants.
"Against the backdrop of the aforesaid, the party heretofore adviced all its members to not only disregard the said video clips in their entirety but also believe that none of the party organs from the Ward, Local Government and State Exco, have the right to adopt any of the Aspirants in this race because the party shall ensure that the democratic tendencies of "one-man-one-vote mantra" is applied during the primaries.
"The party shall ensure that the peace and harmony that hitherto exist within the party fold are maintained before, during and after the primaries, an antecdote aimed at ensuring victory for the party in the general elections."
Labour Party aspirants reject N30m nomination fees
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Labour Party governorship aspirants in Edo state have called on the party's leadership to reduce the N30 million fees for nomination and expression of interest forms.
The LP governorship aspirants said the outrageous N30 million fees were to stifle the voices of politicians.
They said the N30 million fees should be reduced for the democratic process not to be limited.
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Source: Legit.ng
Dave Ibemere (Senior Business Editor) Dave Ibemere is a senior business editor at Legit.ng. He is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience in print and online media. He also holds a Master's degree from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the African Academy for Open-Source Investigation (AAOSI), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other media think tank groups. He previously worked with The Guardian, BusinessDay, and headed the business desk at Ripples Nigeria. Email: dave.ibemere@corp.legit.ng.
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng
