In a recent development, Lauretta Onochie, the media aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has made allegations against a cabal from the Niger Delta.
She claims that this group is attempting to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead-up to its primary election in Edo State.
Onochie has expressed concerns that this cabal is obstructing Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, who is the Chairman of the primary election committee, from carrying out his duties effectively. She voiced her concerns in a post titled 'EDO APC PRIMARY' on the X platform.
In her words, "Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State is trying to hold it together in Edo State. He’s trying really hard to give APC a fighting chance in the next gubernatorial race for Edo State. But the Edo arm of the Niger Delta Cabal, are bent on having their way. Yes, Niger Delta Cabal. They have kept our region in poverty, abject poverty. But who cares!"
This revelation comes on the heels of accusations by former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. He accused Adams Oshiomhole, a Senator from Edo North, of working towards the APC's defeat in the upcoming governorship election.
It's worth noting that the APC had previously cancelled its primary election in Edo State due to the emergence of three parallel winners. Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo State and the immediate past chairman of the primary election committee, had announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner. However, Ojo Babatunde, the spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a representative of the Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, as the victor.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo Central, claimed victory with over 6,000 votes. This controversy led the APC to declare the primary election in the state as inconclusive.
In response to these events, the APC has scheduled Thursday, February 22, 2024, for the completion of the primary election process. Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has been appointed as the chairman of the primary election committee.