Substituted candidate sues ADC in Edo

A dispute is emerging within the Edo North chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the alleged unauthorized replacement of its senatorial candidate, Prince Musa Braimoh. Braimoh secured the party's nomination in the Edo North Senatorial District during the primary election, with his name initially published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, the most recent list of National Assembly candidates from INEC now shows Aruna Abubakar as the ADC candidate for the district.

In an interview with journalists in Benin, Braimoh alleged that he has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to contest his substitution. He argued that he was the only candidate who purchased the nomination form and participated in the primary election, as required by the Electoral Act. Braimoh expressed his surprise at discovering his name had been replaced with that of someone who neither bought a form nor took part in the primary.

According to him, the ADC leadership in Edo North allegedly conspired with the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Pius Alile, to replace his name. Braimoh further claimed he was targeted for refusing to follow a directive from state party leaders to back Rotimi Amaechi during the ADC presidential primary. He stated he declined the directive because he had already committed his support to another presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

A senior ADC leader, speaking anonymously, countered Braimoh's claims, accusing him of engaging in anti-party activities. The source alleged that Braimoh intended to leverage the party's ticket to negotiate a financial settlement to step down for a rival party candidate. When reached, the ADC's State Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojeikere, acknowledged Braimoh's grievances, stating that the party leadership would meet with him to resolve the dispute internally.