The Edo South chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reaffirmed Sunny Aguebor as its senatorial candidate for the 2027 election, even as the party commenced mobilisation across the district on Wednesday.
At a strategic meeting to kick-start its campaign activities held yesterday in Benin, the party vowed to take its message to every nook and cranny of the seven local government areas of Edo South, with a determination to win the senatorial election.
National Leader of the party, Senator Rowland Owie, said the controversy surrounding the ticket was unnecessary, insisting that a valid primary election was conducted in which Aguebor emerged as the candidate.
Owie, who said he personally witnessed the primary, explained that the exercise was presided over by the party’s Vice Chairman, while seven returning officers were deployed to the seven local government areas and the results duly collated.
He expressed disappointment over what he described as attempts to undermine the outcome of the primary, saying it was unfortunate that individuals expected to uphold the integrity of the electoral process were allegedly involved in the controversy.
Aguebor, on his part, alleged that his name was tampered with in documents uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, claiming that his credentials and other data were his, except the first page, which allegedly bore the name of his rival, Bridgette Osayuki Epelle-Asemota.
The candidate, who said he had obtained a certified copy of the primary election result from Abuja, insisted that he was the rightful winner, adding that the party’s guidelines were followed and the exercise was reported to have been peaceful.
Aguebor further alleged that some “mischievous elements” had attempted to supplant his name with that of his rival, warning that those responsible would be prosecuted, while insisting that, under the Electoral Act, a candidate could only be replaced under circumstances permitted by law, including death or voluntary withdrawal.
