By Emeke Alexander
The senator representing Edo North, Senator Francis Alimikhena, says he was not part of a purported mock primary of the All Progressives Congress APC, held recently in Edo State.
The Senator has therefore, disowned what he described as “false publication’ bearing his name as one of the leaders of the APC in the state that attended or endorsed the mock primary.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Benjamin Atu on the ongoing publication about a mock Primary in Edo State and the ongoing political battle in the state, Senator Alimikhena said, “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole remains the National Chairman of the APC and he alone has the power to determine whether a mock primary was conducted or not. It is not in the capacity of any desperate individual or media Aide of an interest group to speak for a National and a ruling party in desperation to tarnish hard earn reputation of individuals in a mere shadow boxing.
“Those who published the ongoing circulating publications occupy a strange Universe, where their personal feelings about their sponsors seem to be more important to them than the overall mission of the APC and Welfare of millions of our people.
“He described the ongoing publication in circulation as a tale created by some unscrupulous media Aide to divide one section of the state against the other. “Everyone should disregard the tales by moonlight, which some elements are spinning in their desperation to muddle the waters ahead of the forthcoming APC primary.”
The statement further described, “The writers are highly deformed and not informed about the personality of Senator Francis Alimikhena. How can you refer to a serving senator as a Former Deputy Chief whip in the House of Representatives? Do Senators serve in the House of Representatives? Why was the current status of Senator Francis Alimikhena not mentioned in the said publication? If indeed Senator Francis Alimikhena was part of the useless publication he would have been able address himself properly as a legal luminary. Also, the sponsored Writers and their sponsors should be aware that Senator Alimikhena has access to the media and can speak for himself when the need arises. No one has the audacity to speak for a serving senator when he can speak for himself.”
He also cautioned media handlers of various governorship aspirants in Edo State from using his name in any of their future publications without his approval or face the wrath of the law.
“I am not stopping media handlers from making their money because this is their time. But do not use the name of Senator Francis Alimikhena to give weight and undue influence to your false publication from this day forward or face the consequences of your actions,” the statement warned.