Edo South Senate Race: BIBI Challenges Asemota To Produce Primary Results, Defends Credentials
Aguebor gives rival 48 hours to present evidence of participation in senatorial primary, raises questions over party agents’ funds
Hon. Sunny Aguebor, popularly known as BIBI, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate at the centre of the dispute over the Edo South Senatorial District ticket for the 2027 general elections, has challenged Mrs. Epelle Osayuki Asemota to produce documentary evidence showing that she participated in the party’s senatorial primary across the district’s seven local government areas.
Aguebor issued the challenge in a strongly worded rejoinder responding to a statement he attributed to a group he described as faceless, accusing the group of making what he called unfounded claims about his candidacy, educational qualifications and the conduct of the party’s primary election.
He initially gave the group 24 hours to produce the relevant primary election results but subsequently extended the deadline to 48 hours, demanding that it present results broken down by local government area, including the names of the respective returning officers.
The NDC aspirant-turned-candidate maintained that he won the Edo South senatorial primary and said he was prepared to present documents, including what he described as original election reports and results sheets, to support his position.
According to Aguebor, the records would identify the officials who conducted the exercise in the different local government areas and provide evidence of the outcome he is contesting to have recognised.
He also disputed the suggestion that his camp should explain where the primary was conducted, insisting that documentary evidence should form the basis of determining the competing claims over the party’s ticket.
BIBI Questions Asemota’s Political Record
In the rejoinder, Aguebor questioned Asemota’s claim to the Edo South senatorial ticket, alleging that she had previously contested for a federal constituency seat rather than the senatorial position.
He claimed that Asemota had contested for the Ovia Federal Constituency ticket in an earlier election cycle before subsequently seeking nomination in the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency.
Aguebor challenged her to produce records establishing that she contested the NDC senatorial primary in Edo South, arguing that the nomination processes for a federal constituency seat and a senatorial seat were separate exercises.
He also made allegations concerning funds allegedly provided for the payment of party agents and election mobilisation during the 2023 general elections. Aguebor claimed that some agents had not received their stipends and called on Asemota to explain the circumstances surrounding the funds.
The allegations could not be independently verified for this report, and no judicial finding establishing wrongdoing by Asemota was provided in the statement.
Aguebor further referred to an alleged financial transaction involving money he said was given to a political associate for the purchase of cows intended for distribution across the seven local government areas of Edo South. He alleged that the money had not been accounted for and demanded an explanation.
The claims form part of Aguebor’s wider response to criticisms of his political standing and the legitimacy of his claim to the NDC ticket.
Defends Educational Qualifications
Aguebor also defended his educational background and professional experience following what he described as attempts by his critics to question his qualifications.
He stated that he studied Business Administration at the University of Lagos and had obtained two doctoral degrees, including one from the University of Tokyo.
He further said he had served as a Justice of the Peace (JP) for several decades and pointed to his business activities in the oil and gas sector and humanitarian engagements as evidence of his experience outside partisan politics.
Aguebor challenged his critics to provide evidence for their claims about his qualifications, insisting that public debate should focus on verifiable records rather than personal attacks.
He also referred to his performance in the 2023 general elections, claiming that he polled more than 14,000 votes while contesting for a federal constituency seat under the Labour Party.
He argued that the result demonstrated his electoral strength and longstanding engagement with voters, even as he acknowledged the broader political momentum enjoyed by the Labour Party during that election cycle.
Calls for Evidence-Based Debate
Responding to claims about the backgrounds and public service records of the individuals involved in the dispute, Aguebor challenged his critics to substantiate their assertions with documentary evidence.
He also questioned statements made about Asemota’s previous labour-related positions and public service record, making allegations concerning the handling of teachers’ gratuities during her time in organised labour.
Those allegations were not independently established for this report, and the parties’ respective accounts would require documentary evidence and responses from those concerned.
Aguebor argued that the dispute should be resolved through verifiable records of the party’s primary election and the relevant electoral documents rather than personal attacks or competing political narratives.
He maintained that the Edo South senatorial seat should be decided in accordance with the applicable party rules, electoral procedures and legal processes.
Invokes Edo South Identity
The NDC candidate also appealed to the shared cultural identity of Edo South, describing the district as a constituency whose people deserve representation rooted in an understanding of their history, traditions and development needs.
He cited the example of former Edo South senator Daisy Danjuma, whom he described as a model of representation, and urged Asemota to reconsider her political ambition in light of the questions he raised about her connection to the district.
Aguebor insisted that the people of Edo South should have the opportunity to determine their political representation through a credible and transparent process.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and confident while the dispute proceeds, expressing optimism that the outstanding issues would be resolved through the appropriate legal and electoral channels.
Dispute Over NDC Ticket Continues
The controversy surrounding the NDC’s Edo South senatorial ticket has generated competing claims over the party’s primary election and the identity of its legitimate candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Aguebor has maintained that he won the May 29, 2026, primary, while the party’s nomination process has also been the subject of rival claims and ongoing legal proceedings.
The dispute has included questions about the party’s documentation and the information submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The competing positions remain subject to the relevant judicial and electoral processes.
Aguebor’s latest statement reiterates his demand for the production of primary election records and signals his intention to continue challenging claims he considers misleading.
He concluded by insisting that the Edo South senatorial mandate should not be determined by unsubstantiated assertions, but by credible evidence and due process.
