Idahosa Wants INEC to Uphold APC Primary of February 17 That Produced Him as Flagbearer

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The member, representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the primary that produced him as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.

Idahosa was declared candidate of Edo APC in the primaries held on February 17 before it was declared inclusive following protest by some party members.

However, in a shadow exercise, held on Thursday, February 22, the Senator representing Edo Central District in the Senate, Senator Monday Okpebholo was named candidate of the party.

However in a letter to the Chairman of the INEC, by his legal firm, Wole Olanipekun & Co and dated March 4, sighted by THISDAY, Idahosa maintained that the primary conducted by the party and duly monitored by the Commission, remained the authentic primary of the party.

He described the other primary conducted on the 22nd of February where he was allotted 6,541 votes as a charade and urged INEC to disregard same.

According to the attached documents to the letter, Idahosa said: “The record of INEC/the Commission will show that, under your leadership, the Commission monitored the Edo State APC primary election for the nomination of the Governorship candidate of the APC pursuant to the prior notification that the primary election will specifically hold on 17th of February, 2024.

“The primary election was indeed held, and I garnered 40,453 votes, a copy of the result certified by INEC is attached herein with this letter.

“INEC’s report of monitoring the election confirms that, at the end of the process, I was returned as the duly elected candidate of the APC, a copy of the INEC report as certified by the Commission is attached.

“The APC primary election committee that conducted the election also confirmed that I won the election as evidenced by a report signed by all members of the committee (without a single instance of dissent).

“The APC subsequently confirmed to INEC that the primary election held as scheduled on 17th February, 2024; however, without giving any reason, indicated that the election was inconclusive and will be completed on 22nd February, 2024 and invited INEC to monitor the completion exercise.”

Idahosa asked the Commission to take cognizance of the February 17th primary in accepting and publishing the party’s nominated candidate for the Edo State governorship poll slated for September.

“The Commission will also appreciate that there are pending reliefs for injunction and is urged not to take step that will either preempt the court of prejudice of ongoing judicial process,” he declared.