Edo-South APC Primaries: Their statement has already admitted the truth...- Benin Youth Renaissance

 


The latest statement from the Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu camp may have been intended as a defence, but in reality, it quietly confirms what many people have been saying from the beginning that there was only one valid APC primary in Edo State, and Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged from it as the party’s candidate for Edo South Senatorial District.

First, for the first time since this issue started, they have openly acknowledged the serial insults, slanders, and attacks directed at Governor Monday Okpebholo by people openly aligned with Pastor Ize-Iyamu. While it is unfortunate that it took this long to even address it - coupled with attempts to absolve Pastor Ize-Iyamu of responsibility, we are glad they now recognize the unfairness of those attacks, and at the appropriate time, tender an apology to the Governor. 

As we have always maintained, Governor Monday Okpebholo deserves respect, not just because of his office as Governor and leader of the party in Edo State, but also because of the goodwill, maturity, and respect he has consistently shown Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu over the years.

But the biggest revelation came in their second paragraph.

They openly admitted that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has already submitted an appeal to the APC Appeal Committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC).

Simple question: Who appeals?

It is people who know they lost out in an officially recognized process that go before an appeal panel.

And even more interesting, they rushed to submit an appeal before the National leadership officially announced candidates. That action alone shows they know there was no foundation upon which they could legitimately claim victory.

You cannot wake up one morning and create an “authority” for yourself outside party structures.

Very simple questions remain unanswered:

- Which officials from APC National Headquarters conducted their claimed exercise?

- Which locations were officially designated by the party for that exercise?

- Which INEC officials monitored it?

- Who signed the notification letter sent to INEC?

- Under whose authority was that “primary” conducted?

The APC conducted one recognized primary arrangement across Edo State for various positions, and candidates emerged from that same process statewide. Edo South cannot suddenly become different simply because Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was involved.

Finally, their last paragraph practically settles the matter.

They reaffirmed loyalty to the party, loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and commitment to accepting the party’s final decision.

That is commendable.

But many people are left wondering why this position was not taken much earlier, instead of dragging the party through weeks of avoidable tension and polarization that threatened our collective objective ahead of the President’s reelection efforts.

At the end of the day, while we await the formal announcement from the APC National leadership, there should really be no confusion anymore.

The officially organized APC primary structure used across Edo State produced Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as the APC candidate for Edo South Senatorial District.

Whatever was done elsewhere simply has no legal or organizational foundation to stand on.

Benin Youth Renaissance

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