Osifo who stated this at a press briefing in Benin, Edo State on Tuesday, said that the primary election which was conducted on Saturday was not so flawed and painted, noting that no party can conduct primaries without leadership interference.
He noted that the committee charged with the responsibility of organising the election, led by the Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State announced Idahosa as the winner and the candidate of the party in the forthcoming election.
He stated that the argument about who has the responsibility to announce the results is myopic and casuistic, adding that the same Uzodimma played the same role in 2019, and no one raised any question.
He said, “As gentlemen, we must together again work for our party and the governorship candidate, Dennis Idahosa, in the interest of our great party and Edo people in general.
“The challenge of protestation after elections is not uncommon. We need to revitalise and utilise all the circuits of power to overcome the steel-hearted, brutal, and hydra-headed opponent in the main election. Please, come on board as the train is already on the move!
“My call to all persons at this moment is to let sanity prevail and let us be frank with each other. The party whose flag all of us sought to fly has the sole responsibility to nominate her flag bearer by whatever democratic mode she chooses.
“In this instance, she chose to adopt the direct primary mode with its imperfections. I have been actively involved in politics long enough to know that there have been significant improvements in the gubernatorial selection process in the various parties.”
The former aspirant said the reality, however, remains that the major parties are leadership-driven, and they cannot conduct primaries without leadership influence.
“Let it be known that the parties are not yet substantially driven by ideology, ethos, and traditions, which ought to guide the direction of the party and their candidates,” he added
