Edo election: APC’s secret plans uncovered
– A pressure group accused the APC of making moves to prevent people from participating in the primary election in Edo
– The group claimed local government chairmen were employed to carry out this ploy
Ahead of the September 2016 governorship election in Edo state, a political pressure group, Edo Professionals for Better Tomorrow said it has uncovered a plot to stop certain aspirants from contesting the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the party’s flag bearer will be selected for the election.
The group in a statement issued and signed by Amos Abubakar and Suleiman Sam, its chairman and secretary respectively, said it learned that some local government chairmen of the party have been contracted by some top men of the party to do the dirty job.
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“Just few days ago, top Government officials and very senior APC chieftains met and resolved to stop Odubu and Ogiemwonyi before the primaries, believing they are the hardest nuts to crack to pave way for Obaseki.
“In the meeting, it was agreed that some local government chairmen will be used to trump up allegations that they transferred moneys into Odubu’s account when his office was overseeing the affairs of local government administration, a duty legitimately conferred on him as the Deputy Governor by the constitution. But recently this responsibility has since been removed from his office.
“It was also agreed that Chris Ogiemwonyi should be framed up over the Benin outer-ring road contract and Benin Sokponba road contract that he oversaw while serving as minister of state for works,” the statement said.
The statement added that the conclusion reached at the meeting was to implicate the duo of Odubu and Ogiemwonyi and “invite EFCC to investigate them, believing this can coerce them to quit the race. This plot is not a rumour as it has been confirmed by top APC official in strict confidentiality.”
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It also revealed what it described as “a developing situation where the Admin Secretary of APC in Edo is circulating a message to all LGA and ward executives directing them as a matter of utmost urgency to notify the state Secretariat and supply documents including signed resolutions of changes or replacements made in Exco at all levels not later than the 18th of March, 2016.”
When contacted, an aide of the deputy governor, Dr. Odubu, who asked not to be named, said the plot would fail.
On his part, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, who express shock over the desperation being displayed in ahead of the primaries, said the Benin-Sakponba Road Project was an NDDC project which had nothing to do with the Federal Ministry of Works where he served as Minister of State for Works.
The former minister who expressed ignorance over any ‘Benin Outer Ring Road Project,’ said EFCC officials were human beings, adding that anyone invited would be given opportunity to write a statement to say his own side of the story.
Meanwhile,there are strong indications that all is not well in the APC in Edo state chapter The crack ushered into the party, comes on the heels of report that Governor Adams Oshiomhole preferred candidate, Godwin Obaseki, ahead of the September 2016 Edo state governorship election, has been largely rejected by chieftains of the party.
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