APC Removes Imo Governor As Chairman Of Fresh Edo Primary Election Committee, Picks Otu

By ObserversTimes

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has replaced the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the chairman of the Edo State Primary Election Committee.

A circular issued by Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the party’s National Organising Secretary on Wednesday which was obtained by SaharaReporters, named Senator Bassey Otu as the new chairman.

The party earlier declared its primary election which was held on Saturday in Edo State inconclusive.

ObserversTimes recall that the party on Saturday declared a member of the House Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, as its governorship candidate ahead of the state governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.

It was learned that the federal lawmaker polled total votes of 40,483 to emerge as the party’s candidate during the primary election, according to Uzodimma, Imo State Governor and head of the APC primary election committee in the state.

The election was declared as flawed after three winners emerged as the APC governorship candidates.

One of the top contenders, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, and other stakeholders called for the cancellation of the election.

Reacting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that it would only reckon with the exercise conducted at the venue communicated by the national leadership of the party.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, which lasted for about three hours on Tuesday night, APC national publicity secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said, “The NWC resolves that the Edo State governorship primary election has not been completed and has now fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, for the completion of the APC primary election process.”

The new circular listed a seven-member Primary Election Committee to supervise the party’s primary election which is to be concluded tomorrow (Thursday).

Other members of the primary election committee are Hon. Shettima Shehu, H.E Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, H.E Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Nentanwe Yilwatda Goshwe, Hon. Umar Hassan, Lawan Garba, and Alh. Rabiu Suleiman.

The party also set up a five-member Primary Election Appeal Committee comprising Barr. C. C. Udenwa (Chairman), Muhammed Zakari Sarina (Member), Udogu Anthony Chijioke (Member), Hon. Muhammad Garin Ali (Member) and Alh. Yunusa Mohammed (Secretary).

The six-member Secretariat (Primary Election/Primary Election Committee) comprises Dr. Wambai Ahmed Suleiman, Prof. Adediwura Alaba Adeyemi, Barr. Sanusi Samaila, Niyi Akinsiju, Dr. Stanley Ugboaja, and Sani D. Galadima.