One of the ‘candidates’ who emerged 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 government, 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 Retuning 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 at 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.”

BluntCrazeMan:
GO TO TRIBUNAL.

emkz:
Then all four "winners" must go into the elections methodically.

Right now, it is not clear who won. Dennis Idahosa can remain in APC. Clem Agba can go to Labour Party and support whoever wins the primaries there. Anamero Dekeri and Monday Okpebholo can remain in APC and pull a G-5 on APC.

I also expect Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Lucky Imasuen to work against the party. You asked Ize-Iyamu to step down only to hand the ticket to an unknown Dennis Idahosa.

This was how CPC lost Kano in 2011. Mohammed Abacha was popular to win the election if he got the CPC ticket, but the local CPC frustrated him and handed the ticket to an unknown entity and lost the election as a result.

Who does that?

Buhari4dullard:
I trust Edo people, dem no stupid like the Agbadoians.

APC should not even register as a party sef.

emkz:
Then all four "winners" must go into the elections methodically.

Right now, it is not clear who won. Dennis Idahosa can remain in APC. Clem Agba can go to Labour Party and support whoever wins the primaries there. Anamero Dekeri and Monday Okpebholo can remain in APC and pull a G-5 on APC.

I also expect Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Lucky Imasuen to work against the party. You asked Ize-Iyamu to step down only to hand the ticket to an unknown Dennis Idahosa.

This was how CPC lost Kano in 2011. Mohammed Abacha was popular to win the election if he got the CPC ticket, but the local CPC frustrated him and handed the ticket to an unknown entity and lost the election as a result.

Who does that?

NzogbuNzogbu:
he would go, make primaries deadline of inec reach first

Oshomole never know wetin he put hand, they are saying its party affairs, na the aspirants themselves go challenge the primaries

Dekiri wahala still dey ground

Something that thugs invaded and disrupted you still announce winner even with the 100, 200, 500, 700 buhaha

bjdon:
What a big shame. In 2024 the rulling party can't even cconduct a simple nomination. The black man is truly cursed. We simply can't do anything right

Indispensable85:
Garfield1 Ur guy go explain tire oooo 🤣

NzogbuNzogbu:
all those aspirants don dash oshomole the #50million but they are bent on teaching him lesson

Apc would not have candidate in the election, they may wait after primaries deadline to challenge that election to put apc on one chance

The ruling if it doesn't disqualify apc would ensure that the few people outside party members wanting to vote them would become disinterested with their multiple candidates

garfield1:


I thought he was your guy too? In any case,from the explanations of Barr liborous oshoma,this guy might win in court.cobstitutuonally a returning officer declares results.inec said they monitored primaries at lushville hotel..
From what leadership newspaper explained,Femi has a hand in this.ganduje,akpabio all want okpebholo.the fight has just started

Indispensable85:


Fake news