Edo 2024: APC Youths, women protest in secretariat, demand sack of state exco
By Elvis Omoregie, Benin
The last may not have been heard about the aftermath of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Saturday 17th primaries election that saw three candidates emerge as the party flag bearer ahead of the September governorship poll.
Some angry youths, women said to be members of the party today Monday took over the parties 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 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 laid claim to victory.
While Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the APC electoral Committee announced Hon. Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary, Dr. Stanley Ugboajah, the returning officer for the exercise declared Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Anamero Dekeri as APC candidate .
Besides, some local governments returning officers declared Hon. Anamero Dekeri as the party’s guber candidate.
APC youths 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 explain the reason for the protest and 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 party had affirmed Dennis Idahosa as the APC candidate. The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje congrtulated 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
