The Youth leader of Edo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Adun, has publicly apologised to the party for his involvement in leading a group of youths and women to vandalize the party’s secretariat following the initial primary election on February 17. The primary election resulted in the emergence of three different winners, leading to chaos and protests.
During the protest, Adun, also known as Kabaka, and his followers forcefully entered the party offices. They removed furniture, bags of rice, and other items, declaring their intent to occupy the building for a week or until the dissolution of the state executive council. Adun cited dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election officials, alleging bias against the party.
The confusion stemmed from conflicting declarations of winners by different officials. Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner, while the returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as the victor. Additionally, another individual, Ojo Babatunde, purporting to represent the returning officers in all local governments, declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner.
In response to the chaotic situation, the National Working Committee of the party ordered a rerun of the primary election on February 22 under the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers State. Following the rerun, Monday Okpebholo emerged as the winner with 12,433 votes, defeating Dennis Idahosa who garnered 6,541 votes.
In a viral video and a public statement, Adun expressed regret for the actions of the aggrieved youths and pledged to work harmoniously with the party leadership to ensure the success of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the declared winner of the primary. He called for unity and cooperation among party members, particularly emphasizing the need to focus on winning the upcoming general elections scheduled for September 2024.
Adun appealed to the state party chairman, Jarret Tenebe, the state secretary, Lawrence Okah, and other state working committee members to lead efforts in rebuilding the party and fostering unity to secure victory in the gubernatorial elections.
