THE tussle between House of Representatives member, Mr Peter Akpatason and Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto as regarding who is the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a dramatic turn for the worse yesterday as a group, Akoko-Edo Youth Vanguard (AYV) denounced a protest by some youths in the local government area against Akpatason.In a statement by the President of AYV, Comrade Segun Jasper, he said that the protest by the speaker’s supporters against the former President of the Petroleum and Engineering Gas Workers Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) was a clear show of political desperation.
He said: “The case of APC, Akoko Edo Federal Constituency in the just concluded Primary is an example of political desperation and eluded sensibility. Where they made foolery of themselves is their clamour for the release of the results of the primary up till the time they finally proceeded to the Court of Justice Benin City for mandate claim.
“The same person is leading a barrage of media attacks on APC leadership and his benefactor, on whose back he rode to victory in the past three elections, which ordinarily he couldn’t have won.
“How does one claim victory in election results that he said were not announced. Anyway, we are aware that the outcome of that primary was duly announced and published by the authorised person, and winners emerged.”
The youth leader remarked that the endless arm-twisting measures by Adjoto, including rallies and threats of anti-party activities are further manifestations of desperation arising from his belief that the party or judiciary can be coerced into taking a wrong decision, such as name substitution in his favour.
Jasper wondered why anyone would imagine that Adjoto will defeat Akpatason in a free and competitive election, adding that the speaker who is from Ikakumoh in Ward 6 with just 2 units and has fallen out of favour with the other communities in Ayaran and Okpe Kingdom as a result of his hostility and disrespect cannot win Akpatason or any other serious candidate without the usual Oshiomhole’s strong backing.
“Available records show that comrade Akpatason Peter won the primaries fair and square despite the violence and manipulative tendencies exhibited by his opponent.”
“Akpatason remains the most popular among our people, he has touched several lives with his generous disposition, unique empowerment programme and unprecedented even distribution of constituency projects across all wards and villages.”
“We stand with Akpatason as we a convinced that with him as the candidate, APC is sure of a big win at the February 2019 general elections.”
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