Ogiemwonyi, Imansuagbon reject APC primary results .Accuse Governor of interference .Call for forensic analysis

AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi and Barrister Ken Imasuagbon, both aspirants in the just concluded All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primaries in Edo state have rejected the outcome of the result which declared Mr. Godwin Obaseki winner of the election.
The aggrieved aspirants, both have alleged electronic rigging of the polls and called for a forensic investigation.
In a joint press briefing Monday at the campaign Secretariat of Engr Ogiemwonyi, the aspirants called on the national leadership of the party and APC Edo state Primaries Appeal Panel to order the repeat and resorting of all the ballot papers used for the primaries.
They also called for the forensic analysis of the ballot papers and the finger prints on the ballot papers.
Engr. Ogiemwonyi, who spoke on behalf Barrister Imansuagbon said a criminal investigation has become necessary because the party members hold the view that no one individual or group should be allowed to destroy the good image of APC and its leadership that is committed to free and fair primaries and internal democracy and democratization in Nigeria
Ogiemwonyi said that the announcement of the final result immediately provoked a general condemnation and rejection of the results by delegates to the primary.
“The delegates are unanimous that the figures that were allocated to the various aspirants were electronically manipulated and in clear contradiction of the pattern of their votes for their preferred aspirants.
“The smuggling of non delegates into the venue of the primary to vote was a sign of desperate measures by the Governor and his agent. They were successful in this bid because Edo state government was in full control of the venue of the primary.
“The open and direct interference in the voting process by the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on several occasions took the protest of some of us aspirants and the intervention of the Chairman of the Primaries Committee, Alhaji Aminu Masari to persuade the Edo state Governor to stay away from the table that was meant for the thumb printing of ballot papers by the delegates. The Governor did not pretend over his desire to intimidate the voters
The aspirants insisted that the national leadership of the party must ensure that the justice is served by doing the right thing immediately in the interest of the party and in the interest of democracy.