A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has expressed dismay over the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State, labeling it as a disgrace to the party.

Onochie criticized the hijacking of the APC by individuals who now dictate the party’s affairs, stating that the primary election resulted in the emergence of three different governorship candidates.

The primary election committee’s chairman, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, declared Dennis Idahosa as the winner, while the Returning Officer, Stanley Ugboaja, announced Senator Monday Okpebholo as the APC candidate. The crisis escalated as a third aspirant, Anamero Dekeri, claimed victory in the primary.

Expressing her frustration on social media, Onochie emphasized the need for the APC to uphold true progressive values and avoid fielding inferior candidates, especially in the South South region where the party has consistently struggled against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

She urged the APC to reclaim its identity from opportunistic individuals and collaborate with genuine progressives to provide a compelling alternative to the PDP, particularly in the South South.

Onochie also highlighted the lack of female representation in the APC leadership, emphasizing the importance of gender inclusivity for the party’s advancement.

The situation in Edo reflects a critical challenge for the APC, as it grapples with internal strife and the struggle to maintain its progressive ethos.