It has become necessary, in the interest of truth, party discipline, and institutional integrity, to address the unfortunate narratives presently being pushed in certain quarters concerning the Edo South Senatorial Primary Election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC conducted ONLY ONE recognised Edo South Senatorial Primary Election for the purpose of nominating its candidate for the 2027 Senatorial Election.
That primary election was conducted by the duly constituted National Assembly Primary Election Committee appointed and authorised by the National Headquarters of the APC in accordance with the Constitution of the party and the Electoral Act.
The exercise was conducted across the seven Local Government Areas and seventy-seven wards comprising Edo South Senatorial District under the supervision of the officially accredited National Assembly Primary Election Committee sent by the National Chairman and National Working Committee of the APC.
Thereafter, the lawful collation and official declaration of results took place at the approved APC collation centre at Urokpota Hall, Benin City.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the National Assembly Primary Election Committee publicly declared Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama winner of the primary election.
That declaration remains the only lawful, constitutional, and binding declaration known to the APC.
This is not a matter of sentiment or propaganda. It is a matter of verifiable fact.
National newspapers and independent observers reported the official declaration made by the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee. The reported results showed Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama polling 27,154 votes to defeat the other aspirants in the contest.
That declaration was not made by supporters, agents, loyalists, social media influencers, or political associates. It was made by the officially constituted National Assembly Primary Election Committee empowered by the APC National Headquarters to conduct and conclude the exercise.
Consequently, any purported announcement of “results” elsewhere, particularly within the private compound or event hall associated with one of the aspirants, cannot override the authority of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee recognised by the APC.
No serious political institution functions on the basis of parallel declarations emerging from private premises after the officially constituted committee of the party has already concluded and announced results.
The APC is a disciplined political institution governed by constitutional order, procedural hierarchy, and respect for party supremacy.
It is therefore deeply embarrassing that certain persons are attempting to elevate what was clearly an unofficial gathering in a private facility into something capable of competing with the official declaration of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee of the APC.
Such conduct is dangerous.
Indeed, encouraging parallel declarations, parallel result narratives, or parallel electoral authority within the party structure amounts to conduct capable of being interpreted as anti-party activity under the Constitution of the APC.
The party constitution is unambiguous regarding acts capable of undermining the party, creating disaffection, promoting factional confusion, or bringing the party into public ridicule. Such actions may attract disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion where necessary.
This is precisely why loyal party members must exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory conduct capable of injuring party cohesion at a critical political moment.
The truth remains straightforward and incontestable:
The APC National Headquarters constituted one National Assembly Primary Election Committee.
That National Assembly Primary Election Committee conducted one primary election.
That National Assembly Primary Election Committee announced one winner.
That winner was Engr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
Everything else presently circulating outside that lawful constitutional framework remains politically inconsequential and incapable of altering the officially declared outcome.
This is therefore the time for reconciliation, maturity, and party loyalty.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu remains a respected leader within the APC family and one of the most experienced political actors in Edo State. His supporters should therefore resist every temptation capable of creating avoidable internal fractures within the party.
No primary election should become more important than the overall success and stability of the APC ahead of the general elections.
The party has spoken through its duly constituted National Assembly Primary Election Committee.
The time has now come for all loyal APC members to close ranks, unite behind the party’s candidate, and work collectively for overwhelming victory in the forthcoming general elections.
That is the true path of loyalty, discipline, and political maturity.