Edo 2024: APC NWC rejects Ogbeide-Ihama, favours Idahosa as Okpebholo’s running mate

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has imposed Dennis Idahosa as running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the party in Edo state.

Checks revealed that Senator Okpebholo who had earlier picked Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as his running mate was told to drop the latter for his main rival for the party ticket, Dennis Idahosa.

Multiple sources revealed that former Edo state governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, had pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow him to present his favoured candidate, Dennis Idahosa as running mate ahead of the September election.

In the horse-trading that followed, Idahosa is expected to withdraw the suit he filed in court challenging the emergence of Senator Okpebholo as APC standard bearer for the Edo governorship race.

Idahosa, in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), asked the electoral umpire not to accord recognition to Senator Okpebholo.

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In a letter dated March 4th 2024, addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, counsel to Idahosa, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) informed the electoral umpire that a suit, No.FHC/ABJ/CS/274/2024 has been instituted to challenge the declaration of Senator Okpebholo as APC standard-bearer.

Olanipekun in the letter to INEC Chairman noted that the February 17 2024 primary where Idahosa was declared winner by Senator Hope Uzodinnma remained the valid process and not the 20th February won by Senator Okpebholo.

Checks revealed that the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will today present both Senator Okpebholo and Honourable Idahosa to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE