Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Bright Campaign Organisation has rejected what it described as the unlawful substitution of its candidate for the forthcoming House of Representatives election, maintaining that Egharevba Bright Osakpamwan remains the duly nominated candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Onyia Harrison, the campaign said Bright emerged as the party’s candidate after duly participating in the ADC primary election and fulfilling all constitutional and administrative requirements.
According to the statement, these included purchasing the party’s nomination form, paying the prescribed fees, submitting all required documents, and taking part in the primary election.
The statement added that, Bright’s emergence was the outcome of the democratic choice of ADC delegates and not the result of appointment or political patronage.
The reaction follows the appearance of the name and credentials of Deacon Festus Osaigbovo Osagie on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate portal.
However, the campaign argued that the upload of another individual’s details did not supersede what it described as the valid outcome of the party’s primary election.
It called on the relevant authorities to explain the circumstances under which another candidate’s credentials were uploaded despite what it maintained was the decision reached through the party’s internal processes and endorsed by its appropriate national organs.
The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as attempts by some individuals within the party to manipulate the candidate list for political and personal interests.
“We will not allow the democratic mandate freely given to our candidate by ADC delegates to be stolen through administrative manipulation, backroom arrangements or the alteration of party records,” the statement read.
The campaign called on the ADC national leadership and prominent party stakeholders, including former Edo State Governor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and Prof. Osariemen Osunbor, to make public all records and resolutions relating to the conduct of the primary election and the submission of the party’s candidate to INEC.
It also urged INEC to clarify the circumstances surrounding the upload of the disputed credentials and ensure that its records reflect the candidate it said was legitimately produced through the party’s primary election.
Maintaining that Bright remains its candidate, the organisation said it possesses documentary evidence to support its claims, including payment receipts, completed nomination forms, primary election records and other relevant party documents.
The campaign further vowed to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to protect what it described as the mandate freely given to its candidate by party delegates.
While urging supporters to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, the organisation stated that it would not resort to violence but would resist any unlawful attempt to overturn the outcome of the primary election.
Calling the controversy as a litmus test for internal party democracy, the rule of law, and respect for the will of party delegates, the campaign urged the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the issue and ensure that the party’s duly nominated candidate is recognised for the election.
