Edo All Progressives Congress’ State Working Committee has expressed confidence in its acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, Secretary Lawrence Okah, and Publicity Secretary Peter Uwadiae.
The vote of confidence is believed to be related to the disputes that arose after the party’s primary election on Saturday, where three aspirants claimed victory.
During the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner. However, Returning Officer Stanley Ugboaja initiated the result announcement at Lushville and concluded it at Pastor Osagie Iyamu’s residence, declaring Monday Okpebholo as the winner. Furthermore, one of the three aspirants in the race, Ize-Iyamu, withdrew. Also, Ojo Babatunde, who purported to represent the Returning Officers in all the Local Governments, declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.
The statement states, “In a meeting of the members of the State working committee held this 20th day of February 2024, a vote of implicit confidence was passed in the acting state chairman, Jarret Tenebe, the State secretary, Lawrence Okah, and the State Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae, due to the excellent ways they have piloted the affairs of the party, particularly at this auspicious time of our political evolution.
“The SWC has enjoined them not to relent in their efforts to ensure that justice, equity, and fair play which is the hallmark of our great party is robustly upheld at all times regardless of any undue pressure from any quarter.
“The SWC of our party uses this medium to thank the teeming members of our party for their calmness in spite of the unprovoked attacks on them. “At the end of the day, the peace that we hitherto enjoy in our party shall be restored, the statement added”.
According to Uwadiae, the suspension of the Vice chairman of Edo Central, Francis Inegbineki was revisited and members agreed that having waited for the local government exco that was directed to invite him for interrogation and possibly for him to defend himself in line with the principles of justice and nothing was forthcoming, the SWC resolved to veto the suspension and reinstate Chief Francis Inegbeniki to his position as the vice chairman of APC, Edo Central Senatorial District.