CurrentReport Blog In a dramatic turn of events, the Edo State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benin witnessed a tumultuous gathering as youths and women stormed the premises, demanding the immediate dismissal of the state executives led by acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe.
The uproar stemmed from widespread dissatisfaction with the conduct of the party’s governorship primary election held the previous Saturday. The poll, which yielded three purported winners, was marred by confusion and conflicting declarations.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, serving as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, initially announced Dennis Idahosa as the victor. However, this declaration was promptly disputed by the Returning Officer, Stanley Ugboaja, who instead proclaimed Monday Okpebholo as the rightful winner.
Adding to the chaos, Ojo Babatunde, claiming to represent the returning officers across all local government areas, asserted that Anamero Dekeri emerged as the true winner of the contentious election.
Fueling the agitation further, Tony Adun, the party’s youth leader in the state, spearheaded the protest and insisted on the immediate dissolution of the state executive committee. He boldly declared the intention of the youths to occupy the premises for seven consecutive days until their demands were met.
Adun emphasized the solidarity behind Dennis Idahosa, the candidate purportedly nominated by the party, urging all members to rally behind Idahosa’s candidacy for the upcoming governorship election slated for September.
He said: “We are here in solidarity with Dennis Idahosa who the party has nominated. We call on party members to back Idahosa’s candidacy in the governorship election in September.
“As you can see, we are here in large numbers, youths and women, to show our displeasure over the way the exco handled the election.”
