National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) has bowed to pressure from stakeholders by removing Imo State Governor and Chairman of party’s primary committee for the Edo State governorship election, Hope Uzodimma.
Last weekend, Governor Uzodimma had declared Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary while the Returning Officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo won the race. Anamero Dekeri also declared himself the winner.
The national leadership of the party had declared the Edo primary inconclusive after several hours of meeting at the headquarters of the party on Tuesday night, ordering the completion of the exercise today.
Leading aspirants had rejected Uzodimma as chairman of the elections committee.
In a statement jointly signed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Okpebholo and Charles Airhiavbere, the aspirants said Uzodimma did not observe the minimum requirement for compliance with the relevant provisions of the laws and regulations guiding the election as provided, both in the Electoral Act and in the APC constitution.
APC, in a statement, yesterday, by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, announced the governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, would now head the committee to complete the exercise today.
The new inclusion in the committee, according to the revised members of the governorship primary and primary appeal committees, is Shettima Shehu, while other members like Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Nentanwe Yilwatde Goshwe, Umar Hassan, Lawan Garba and Rabiu Suleiman, the secretary retained their list.
Earlier yesterday, the clamour for the removal of Governor Uzodimma had gathered momentum with civil society organisation, under the auspices of Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance of the African Civil Society Forum, insisting he must not spearhead the conclusion of the exercise.
Tunji Asaolu, the group’s chairman of Governing Board, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, called on the chairman of Edo APC governorship primary to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process.
We urged all stakeholders involved in the APC primary in Edo State to play their roles according to the rule of law, fairness, and transparency. It is, therefore, essential that the rescheduled process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles to ensure the will of the people is respected and upheld.
“We hereby call on Governor Uzodimma, chairman of Edo APC governorship primary to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary which is described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process.
“Nigerians, especially the Uzodimma members, need to build trust and confidence on the election committee which Hope does not represent,” the group said.
