Edo APC primary: Ize-Iyamu, Okpebholo, others demand resignation of Uzodimma as primary election committee chair
• Oshiomhole is working for Ighodalo, says APC chieftain
The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, declared the Edo primary inconclusive, ordering that the exercise will be completed today. The decision followed an emergency meeting of the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC), which was held at the National Secretariat of the party, in Abuja, at about 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Recall that three of the 10 aspirants, vying for the ticket of the party, claimed victory at the end of the exercise last Saturday. HOWEVER, ahead of today’s ordered rerun of APC, four leading aspirants of the party demanded the immediate resignation of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.
The aspirants, comprising Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Monday Okpebholo and Charles Airhiavbere alluded to the inability of Uzodimma to conduct a hitch-free primary of the party on last week Saturday as basis of their position.
They alleged that the governor failed to observe the minimum requirements for compliance with the relevant provisions of the laws and regulations guiding the election as provided for both in the Electoral Act and in the APC Constitution.
SIMILARLY, the Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance of the African Civil Society Forum has asked Uzodimma to step down as head of the primary election committee.
Led by Dr. Tunji John Asaolu, the forum, at a press briefing, which held in Abuja, adduced what it termed the “shabby” manner the primary election of the party last week’s Saturday was held.
They argued that the absence of Uzodimma would surely build trust and confidence among aspirants vying for the ticket of the party.
ALSO, Edo APC Elders Stakeholders Forum has advised the party to replace Uzodimma as Chairman of the Primaries Election Committee if the APC is desirous to win the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
A statement signed by Matthew Omoregie and Stephen Aigbe, Chairman and Secretary General, respectively, of the forum, had decried last weekend’s primary, which ended in a fiasco.
