By DADA AYOKHAI
A frontrunner for the Edo State House of Assembly race for Etsako Central Constituency, Mathias Aliu, has met with the NDC party structures of Etsako Central to discuss the omission of his name from INEC’s final list of candidates.
Aliu became the NDC candidate by substitution, replacing Amedu Matthew, popularly known as AM EXPRESS, who stepped down for him through a sworn affidavit and consensus process supervised by INEC and the state party leadership.
Unfortunately, INEC still went ahead to list the substituted candidate as the party’s candidate.
An unruffled Aliu, during the meeting with party stakeholders who raised concerns over the absence of his name from the list, confirmed that the names of substituted candidates have not yet been released on the INEC portal, and efforts are ongoing to address the situation in the interest of peace, unity and progress.
Aliu called on party members, supporters and well-wishers to remain calm, united, prayerful and hopeful as the party works towards resolving the matter.
He reiterated that his commitment to a Better Etsako Central remains firm, with a vision focused on youth empowerment, community development and responsible representation.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed confidence in INEC’s capacity to correct its own errors, noting that the Commission has a history of updating its portal to reflect valid substitutions and court judgments before the final display of candidates.
They cited past instances where similar omissions were rectified after due verification of documents submitted by political parties.
A special moment during the meeting was when party elders offered prayers for Aliu’s victory, committing his aspiration and the future of Etsako Central into God’s hands.
