Edo 2016: Trouble In APC As Ogiemwonyi, Imansuangbon, Reject Obaseki

TWO of the APC governorship aspirants, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi and Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon yesterday rejected the results of last Saturday’s primary and the candidate that emerged, Godwin Obaseki.

At a joint press briefing yesterday at the Ogiemwonyi campaign headquarters in Benin, the aspirants alleged that the ballot papers used for the voting were electronically manipulated to favour Obaseki.

The aspirants who appealed to the appeal panel to order a repeat and resorting of the ballots also accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of physically intimidating delegates to vote for Obaseki.

Ogiemwonyi, who spoke for the duo, said a criminal investigation has become necessary because the party members hold the view that no one individual or group should be allowed to destroy the good image of APC and its leadership that was committed to free and fair primaries and internal democracy and democratization in Nigeria.

Ogiemwonyi said that the announcement of the final result immediately provoked a general condemnation and rejection of the results by delegates that voted during the primaries.

Obaseki meets Odubu, solicits support

APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki Sunday met with the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu seeking for his support ahead the September 10, 2016, governorship election.

Obaseki defeated Odubu and nine other aspirants in the APC primaries which held last Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.

The APC governorship candidate was accompanied on the visit by the Director General of his campaign and Commissioner for Works in the state, Osarodion Ogie and other leaders of the party.

Vanguard learned that the meeting was very cordial, and the Deputy Governor, who was very receptive assured his guests, that he will continue to work for the APC.

The earlier tension which existed in the two camps is now over as they all resolved to strategize on how to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 10, governorship election in the state.
Obaseki also had called one of the aspirants, Dr Chris Ogienwonyi yesterday and solicited for his support

Trouble in Edo APC as Ogiemwonyi, Imansuangbon, reject Obaseki

TWO of the APC governorship aspirants, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi and Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon yesterday rejected the results of last Saturday’s primary and the candidate that emerged, Godwin Obaseki.

At a joint press briefing yesterday at the Ogiemwonyi campaign headquarters in Benin, the aspirants alleged that the ballot papers used for the voting were electronically manipulated to favour Obaseki.

The aspirants who appealed to the appeal panel to order a repeat and resorting of the ballots also accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of physically intimidating delegates to vote for Obaseki.

Ogiemwonyi, who spoke for the duo, said a criminal investigation has become necessary because the party members hold the view that no one individual or group should be allowed to destroy the good image of APC and its leadership that was committed to free and fair primaries and internal democracy and democratization in Nigeria.

Ogiemwonyi said that the announcement of the final result immediately provoked a general condemnation and rejection of the results by delegates that voted during the primaries.

He said: “The delegates were unanimous that the figures that were allocated to the various aspirants were electronically manipulated and in clear contradiction of the pattern of their votes for their preferred aspirants.

“The smuggling of non-delegates into the venue of the primary to vote was a sign of desperate measures by the governor and his agents.

They were successful in this bid because Edo State government was in full control of the venue of the primary

“The open and direct interference into the voting process by the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on several occasions led to protest by some of us aspirants and the intervention of the Chairman of the Primaries committee, Alhaji Aminu Masari to persuade the Edo state Governor to stay away from the table that was meant for the thumb printing of ballot papers by the delegates. The Governor did not pretend over his desire to intimidate the voters.

BREAKING: Obaseki defeat Odudu, 10 others to pick APC governorship ticket in Edo

Chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team, Godwin Obaseki has emerged candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 10 governorship election.

Obaseki floored 11 other candidates, including Pius Odubu, deputy governor of the state to pick the keenly contested ticket.
According to Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina state and leader of the party’s national delegation that conducted the election, the exercise was peaceful and transparent.

Announcing the results at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Masari said Obaseki scored 1,618 votes, while Pius Odubu, his closest rival, who is the current deputy governor, polled 471 votes.

Chris Ogiemwonyi, former minister of state for works, secured 137 votes; Ken Imasuagbon, had 247 votes; and Osariemen Osunbor, former governor of the state, got eight votes.

Ebegue Amadasu, also polled eight votes; Charles Airhiabvere, a retired general, garnered 11 votes, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, 10 votes; Austin Emuan, seven votes; Blessing Agbomhere, fives votes, and the only female aspirant, Mrs. Tina Agbarha, got three votes.

Masari said 41 votes were invalid. A total of 2582 delegates took part in the exercise.

APC youth leader in Edo murdered

The All Progressives Congress Youth leader in Ward 4 in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State, Sunny Omokaro, was killed by armed men Monday evening.

The incident happened at the Ikpoba-hill axis of Benin City at about 9pm.

It was gathered that Sunny was relaxing at his wife’s shop after returning from a political meeting when four armed men stormed into the shop.

It was gathered that Sunny approached them and asked that they leave the place.

But the men who were reportedly involved in a car chase with policemen, opened fired, shot the deceased on the chest and fled.