AS the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), commenced screening of aspirants yesterday ahead of its primaries, certain aspirants for the House of Representatives seats in Edo State have petitioned the national working committee of the party.
The aspirants from Orhionmwon Local Government area are kicking against a consensus arrangement allegedly instigated by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to secure an automatic ticket for serving federal lawmakers from the State.
Findings revealed that the APC Chapter of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State had announced three returning lawmakers as consensus candidates. The list includes Patrick Aisowieren (Orhionmwon/Uhumwonde Federal Constituency), Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon East Constituency) and Roland Asoro (Orhionmwon South Constituency).
But speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, one of the Edo State aspirants vying for Orhionmwon/Uhumwonde Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adaze Wilson Imafidon described the move as fraudulent and illegal.
Imafidon said the decision was in brazen disregard of the September 11, 2018 procedure for nominating candidates/conditions for consensus candidature issued by the APC National Working Committee and reaffirmed by the Edo State Chapter ahead of legislative primaries scheduled for next month.
He said: “Recall that the National Working Committee in its directive/clarification on the procedure for nominating candidates stated that while consensus is provided for by the Party’s Constitution, the option is conditional. Consensus does not foreclose Direct or Indirect Primaries for all elective positions. The NWC stated clearly that consensus will apply when no other aspirant signifies interest for example through the purchase of nomination forms for the position in question.
“As you can see, aspirants from Edo State, particularly the Orhionmwon/Uhumwonde axis are being screened, we are all very much in the race. How can a group of people converge in a room and tag themselves stakeholders excluding aspirants and announce automatic consensus candidacy for returning lawmakers? The decision is dead on arrival. We will surely resist this fraud and illegality.
“Unpopular aspirants who have woefully represented us during their first term in the House of Representatives cannot hide under illegal consensus to retain their seat. The Edo electorate are not foolish, they demand quality representation at all levels. We must all go for primaries and test our acceptance and popularity.
“We hereby draw the attention of the Party’s national leadership under the Chairmanship of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to this fraud and illegality being perpetrated by the Orhiomwon Chapter of our great Party.”