As a result of the controversies trailing the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primaries for the Edo Governorship Election, ten out of twelve aspirants for the APC primaries alleged Intimidation, harassment of party officials by an interested party in the process.
This was contained In a letter addressed to the National Chairman and signed by the following aspirants Pro. Osermiemen Osunbor, Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Barr. Ken Imasuagbon, Arc Austin Emuan, Chief Blessing Agbomhere, Mrs Tina Agbarha, Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Comrade Peter Esele.
Loading ...The letter read in pat; “We the Undersigned being Governorship Aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Edo State Chapter having observed the Issues surrounding the forthcoming primaries on June 18th, 2016 have decided o issue the following statement.
The letter also alleged that, “there has remained consistent harassment and intimidation of party officials and political appointees on account of their support for aspirants of their choice.
The aggrieved aspirants who said they appreciated the effort and concern of the National Leadership of the party towards resolving the ugly events that have been bedeviling the process leading to the gubernatorial primaries, however stated that the effort has not yielded the desired result.
The letter also enumerated that “the latest of these acts of impunity and desperation to win at all cost is the purchase and or collections of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by force or inducement by agents of a particular aspirant with a view to undermining a free and fair process of nomination beginning with accreditation of delegates.
“That most of the aspirants have been denied access to delegates during campaigns by a certain notorious thug who has consistently threatened Oredo delegates against meeting with aspirants other than hiss preferred aspirant.
The aggrieved aspirants however suggested that “in view of the incessant harassment and intimidation of delegates, the party should ensure that the right of the delegates to vote in secrecy is protected an guaranteed.
“That the National Working Committee should direct all those in possession of PVCs belonging to any delegate (s) or any person to return he PVCs to their owners forthwith or face sanction from the party.
“That the National Working Committee should direct the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute all those involved in the collection or purchase of PVCs in Edo State.
They also asked the National Working Committee to engage the security agencies including the Army before, during and after the primaries with a view to providing profound security cover to all the participants at the June 18th, 2016 primaries.
