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* Outcome of primary did not reflect result of exercise says Uwagboe
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The State Working Committee of the All People’s Congress, APC, in Edo State has raised the alarm of a planned violent protest allegedly being organized by supporters of Hon Dennis Idahosa who claim that their mandate was stolen in the just concluded governorship primary elections of the party in the State.
A release issued by the party Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae Igbinigie Esquire and made available to Spy News said: ” It has come to the knowledge of the State Working Committee,SWC, that there is a sinister move orchestrated by some leaders of the party to cause breach of peace and massive destruction of properties simultaneously in Benin and Abuja.”
The party listed six persons as arrow heads of the planned protest which seeks to fight for the redemption of what they called ‘stolen mandate’ of Rt Hon Dennis Idahosa by the party.
The leaders alleged to be involved in the plot include: Hon Dennis Idahosa, Hon Billy Osawaru, His Excellency Pius Egberamwam Odubu, Dr Samson Osagie, Mr Benson Edosomwan and Hon Pius Alile.
36 other leaders were listed as financiers of the plot having already made huge and handsome donations targeted to raise N20million to mobilise 1000 youths to prosecute the planned violent protest .
The SWC stated that the rogue party leaders were leaving no stone unturned to actuate the dastardly act as planned.., alleging further that the suspect have also mobilised resources and equipment including dangerous weapons such as guns and explosives to be deployed on their planned schedule and date as appropriate to them.
Reacting to the allegation one of the persons alleged to be arrow heads of the plot, Joshua Uwagboe said: “We are all members of the APC. We can screenshot the WhatsApp group we have put together: ‘Justice for Denco’ in support of Dennis Idahosa because the outcome of the party primary held on Thursday, 22 February, 2024 did not reflect the true result of the exercise.
“Even the press release you talked about is belated because the said protest already held today; Monday, 26 February, 2024 both in Benin and Abuja. We did a peaceful protest to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat stating our grievances and demanding justice because the media is the watchdog of the society.
“It is not true we are planning violence!
“If those behind the press release are truly aware we are donating money to stage a violent protest, are they not supposed to reach out to the aggrieved and find a way to appease them instead of the way they are handling the situation now?” He asked.
Also, Dr. Pius Alile who is the husband of the APC national women leader, Mary Alile when contacted by phone, he simply declined comment.
Effort to reach other alleged members of the plot was not successful as at the time of filling this report on Monday evening.
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