Heightened Anxiety as Court Deliberates on APC Candidacy for Edo 2024
The political atmosphere in Edo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) is charged with anticipation as the Federal High Court in Abuja sets to hear a pivotal lawsuit today. Dennis Idahosa, who proclaims himself the rightful APC gubernatorial candidate, has initiated legal action to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any other candidate.
This legal challenge arises amid stalled negotiations to bring Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, into the APC fold as Senator Monday Okpebholo’s deputy. The court, presided over by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, is scheduled to deliberate on the matter following Idahosa’s assertive claim of victory in the party primaries, where he garnered 40,453 votes against Okpebholo’s 100.
Idahosa’s plea to the court is clear: affirm his candidacy for the Edo governorship election, citing the primary election results as a testament to his rightful claim. The controversy has deepened as APC and PDP leaders from the South-South region face resistance from Idahosa’s supporters, who remain adamant about his nomination.
The political drama extends further, with some Edo South party leaders, former aspirants themselves, threatening to disengage from party activities and hold a press conference should Idahosa’s candidacy be confirmed. The unfolding events in the APC highlight the intricate dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape and the high stakes involved in the quest for governance.
