Fallout Of Edo APC Pro-Idahosa Protest Rocks Benin , Edo NUJ Chairman Demand Apology From party

There seems to be no end in sight to the crisis birthed by the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as pro-Dennis Idahosa, a purported winner of the primary, took to the street of Benin to protest what they termed ‘no primary election conducted.’

The protesters who marched to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, said the results announced by the Governor Bassey Otu-led committee at the rerun primary were the same results announced by a Returning Officer during the February 17th primary.

Recall that at the governorship primary conducted by the party on February 17th, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the governorship primary committee announced Hon. Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary, while Dr. Stanley Ogbeuaja announced Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the primary.

This created division and protest within the party which led to the National Secretariat of the party calling for a rerun primary in the state.

The  protesters Who Took to the secretariat of the NUJ, leader of the protesters, Hon. Harrison Okpemen, while reading a communique, said the “primaries of 22nd February, 2024 did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.”

According to him, “aspirants were not given equal opportunities of being voted for by party members at the designated centers at the wards that make up Edo State.”

He added: “The party members present to vote did not have their votes cast recorded by any known office of the party’s National Secretariat. Quite clearly the result sheets used for the announcement of results were completed in the National Secretariat of the party as it did not flow from the reality on ground in Edo State.

“The said primaries of 17th and 22nd February, 2024 were not conducted by open secret ballot by APC as required by relevant provisions of APC constitution and the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo is not only unlawful, but a crass violation of the APC constitution.”

Receiving the protesters, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, said though their complaints would be reported, the attack on journalists by party members during the 17th February would not be overlooked.

Alenkhe, who said he wouldn’t have ordinarily welcomed them to the NUJ premises as a result of the attack, reminded them to tell their leaders that the ultimatum given to the party has expired.

He said: “I wouldn’t have welcomed you here but as our job requires, we must do The needful.

“You will all recall that during your party primary, some journalists were attacked by your party members. Their equipment were destroyed. We gave ultimatum to your party, and the ultimatum has expired. I want to remind you to tell your party leaders that we will take action.

“I want to say that we demand unreserved apologies from your party . Your party should buy all equipment destroyed, and the medical bills of journalists injured Should be paid