NDC blames INEC for Edo South candidate mix up

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, says Mrs Epelle-Asemota Osayuki remains its duly nominated candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District.

The party attributed the discrepancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, publication of candidates’ particulars to an error on the part of the commission.

The party, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by its Director of New Media and Strategic Communication, Agada Theophilus, said INEC correctly published Osayuki’s name and personal details.

It, however, added that INEC mistakenly attached the photograph of another aspirant and the credentials of a different individual.

The party maintained that it had duly submitted Osayuki’s name, passport photograph and credentials to INEC in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

It added that the commission alone was responsible for publishing candidates’ particulars.

The party said the successful upload of her details to the INEC portal served as proof of her formal sponsorship and called on the electoral body to explain how the mix-up occurred.

The NDC also dismissed attempts to question Osayuki’s eligibility on ethnic grounds, describing such claims as an orchestrated campaign aimed at discrediting her candidacy.

The party maintained that Osayuki was a Nigerian of Benin ancestry who had lived and worked in Benin throughout her career, “and is married into the Asemota family of Benin”.

The party described her as a seasoned public servant who spent 35 years in the Edo public service and previously served in key leadership positions, including Chairman of the Principals’ Association of Edo.

It further described her as the first female National Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, and Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the state.

It added that she was a prominent member of the Obidient Movement and emerged winner of the NDC primary for the Edo South Senatorial District.

The party said her emergence reflected its commitment to promoting women, youths and persons with special needs, insisting that she was duly nominated and would remain its candidate.

The NDC acknowledged that other aspirants were disappointed by the outcome of the primaries but urged them to refrain from actions capable of undermining the party.

It said a national reconciliation committee had already been inaugurated to address grievances arising from the primaries and appealed to party leaders to help resolve outstanding issues.

The party also rejected allegations that candidates were imposed by the national leadership, insisting that state leaders supervised the primary process while the national leadership only harmonised interests and managed disputes that could not be resolved at the state level.

It called on members to close ranks and work together in the interest of the party ahead of the forthcoming elections.