Edo APC factions fight in court over primary

IT was a show of shame on Wednesday in Benin as factions of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives Etsako Federal Constituency engaged in a free-for-all at the premises of the Federal High Court in the Edo State capital.

The brawl broke out at the venue of the ongoing case between, the party’s candidate and incumbent Representatives member, Mr Johnson Oghuma and his challenger, Comrade Julius Abuda over the conduct of All Progressive Congress, APC primary in the constituency.

Supporters and suspected hoodlums loyal to one of the parties had clashed shortly after the sitting and unleashed terror on one another as both counsels and supporters ran for their dear lives.

In the suit, Abuda who is challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC and Oghuma, prayed the court among others to declare him the winner of the APC Estako Federal constituency primary.

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Supporters of both the petitioners and the defendants traded allegations and counter allegations.

However, Abuda in a statement yesterday expressed shock at the incident and called on security agencies to restore order.

Abuda said that everything went on well after Oghuma’s lawyer, Mr George Igbokwe crossed examined two of his witnesses and the court later adjourned to 20th February 2019, for further hearing only for some thugs to attack his supporters and lawyers as they stepped out the courtroom.

Oghuma who confirmed the incident, however, said he was not at the court premises when the said attack took place.

The lawmaker who said he was sure of victory at the court insisted that he won in the 31 wards at the party’s primary.