Anxiety grips the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a Federal High Court in Abuja is set to commence proceedings today on a lawsuit brought by Dennis Idahosa, who claims to be the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
Idahosa is contesting against the acceptance of any other candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) besides himself.
This development arises amidst a deadlock over alleged plans to integrate a gubernatorial aspirant from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, into the APC as Senator Monday Okpebholo’s running mate.
Reportedly, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had scheduled March 14, 2024, for the hearing of Idahosa’s case.
Following Idahosa’s request through his counsel, Bode Olanipekun of Wole Olanipekun & Co., Justice Omotosho ordered the serving of the court documents on Senator Okpebholo. The service was directed to be conducted at the National Assembly clerk’s office or to a designated individual at the Senate chambers in Abuja. Additionally, it was to be delivered to an adult at the 2nd defendant’s office in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Idahosa seeks the court’s declaration as the APC candidate for the Edo governorship election, citing his vote count of 40,453 and contesting Okpebholo’s declaration, who purportedly secured only 100 votes in the primaries held on February 17, 2024.
The effort to pair Ogbeide-Ihama with Okpebholo as his running mate, allegedly backed by leaders from both the APC and PDP in the South-South, has encountered opposition. Supporters of Idahosa, asserting his candidacy, stood firm during a meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, some leaders from Edo South, who had initially contested in the primaries but later endorsed Okpebholo and mobilized their followers, threatened to withdraw from party activities and hold a press conference if Idahosa is declared the candidate.
