Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin City
The Egharevba Bright Osakpamwan Campaign Organisation has demanded an explanation on how the name of Deacon Festus Osaigbovo Osagie found its way into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the House of Representatives election.
The organisation said the party’s internal processes have been compromised as Bright was the candidate of the party.
This was just as the organisation consequently called on INEC, former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Senator Ehigie Uzamere, and Prof. Osariemen Osunbor, alongside the ADC national leadership, to make public the records and resolutions relating to the primary election and the subsequent submission of the party’s candidate to INEC.
The campaign organisation said the development was disturbing, insisting that Bright participated in and won the ADC primary election conducted to select the party’s candidate for the constituency.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Onyia Harrison, the organisation said it was particularly concerned that the name and credentials of another candidate could appear on the electoral commission’s portal despite what it described as the outcome of the party’s established internal processes.
It also called on the ADC national leadership and INEC to explain the circumstances surrounding the disputed upload and make public the records relating to the primary election and the subsequent submission of the party’s candidate to the commission.
The organisation said: “Bright emergence was based on the votes of delegates, including purchasing the nomination form, paying the prescribed fees, submitting the necessary documents, and taking part in the primary election.”
The campaign group acknowledged that Osagie’s name and credentials were currently appearing on the INEC portal, but argued that the upload should not automatically override the outcome of the party primary, which it said Bright won.
It warned that it would not accept any attempt to overturn what it described as the mandate given to Bright by ADC delegates through what it called administrative manipulation, backroom arrangements or alteration of party records.
However, Festus Osagie said the party decides to choose whoever represents them, adding: “Is it Egharevba that will choose who represents ADC? Whatever he is doing is his own decision.”