Conflicting INEC’s candidate’s information tears NDC apart in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

The candidate’s information for Edo South Senatorial District recently uploaded on the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has heightened tension and confusion in the State chapter of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to information on the INEC portal, the photograph of Sunny Aguebor was uploaded as the NDC candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, while the name and particulars of another aspirant, Epelle-Asemota Brigiditte Osayuki, appeared alongside Aguebor’s photograph.

The conflicting information has resulted in both aspirants being associated with the party’s senatorial ticket, raising questions over who is the authentic NDC candidate for the Edo South contest.

Aguebor, however, insisted that he remained the “only authentic candidate” of the party for the Edo South senatorial election.

He described the discrepancy as “an anomaly”, blaming what he called possible mischief or an error in the uploading of the candidate’s information.

“The party’s position on its candidate is clear. The appearance of another aspirant’s name and particulars alongside my photograph on the INEC portal does not alter my status as the party’s candidate,” Aguebor said.

But Asemota, whose name and particulars appeared on the document uploaded on the electoral commission’s portal, declined to comment extensively on the controversy.

“I am not really disposed to making comments on it now because the party is handling it and INEC is handling it as well. I will leave it at that,” Asemota stated.

The confusion has heightened tension within the NDC in Edo South, as party stakeholders await clarification from both the party leadership and INEC on who will be recognized as the authentic candidate for the election.