By Lucky Isibor
The chairman of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe has reminded the leaders and members of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC of the union’s decision to blackout all news coverage of the party over attack on journalists during it’s botched primary election of 17 February.
Alenkhe gave the reminder when some members of the in Edo State protested alleged irregularities in the primary election of the party held on 22 February where Senator Monday Okpebholo was declared winner.
The Edo State Council of the NUJ had last week deplored the attacked on journalists and the destruction of their equipment with an ultimatum to replace same, defray the cost of treatment of those who sustained injuries in attack and tender unreserved apology to the union.
The protesters carrying placards of different inscription called for the cancellation of the results of the 22 February primary election where Senator Monday Okpebholo was declared the winner.
In a communique addressed to the National Chairman of the APC in Abuja, the protesters claimed that and read by the leader of the protesters, Harrison Okpamen, declared that, “The said primaries of 22nd February, 2024 did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 as aspirants were not given equal opportunities of being voted for by party members at the designated centers at the wards that make up Edo State.
“The party members present to vote did not have their votes cast recorded by any known office of the party’s National Secretariat. Quite clearly the result sheets used for the announcement of results were completed in the National Secretariat of the party as it did not flow from the reality on ground in Edo State.
“The said primaries of 17th and 22nd February, 2024 were not conducted by open secret ballot by APC as required by relevant provisions of APC constitution and the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo is not only unlawful, but a crass violation of the APC constitution.
“Our strong prayer is that the injustice perpetrated by the Governor Otu committee be set aside by the party and Hon. Dennis Idahosa be rightfully declared winner on the strength of available extant documentary evidence”.