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Announces Date To Complete Exercise
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has annulled the declaration of Dennis Idahosa as the party flag bearer in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
The NWC during its emergency meeting held late Tuesday, at the party’s National Secretariat, announced that the primary election process remains incomplete and has scheduled Thursday, February 22, 2024, for the completion of the exercise.
In a one paragraph statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the NWC deliberated over the report and declared the election inconclusive.
The statement reads, “At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to consider the report on the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, the National Working Committee (NWC) deliberated on the report and resolved that the Edo State Governorship Primary Election has not been completed, and has now fixed Thursday February 22, 2024 for the completion of the Primary Election Process.”
Recall that the chairman of the APC primary election committee and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had announced Idahosa’s victory with 40,483 votes, defeating nine other contestants.
However, conflicting reports emerged as the returning officer of the electoral committee, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the party’s ticket.
Another claim was made by Ojo Babatunde, who said he was representing the returning officers in all the local governments and declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner.
Controversy and Allegations
Within less than 24 hours after the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum raised allegations that Idahosa was declared the winner before the completion of the exercise. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Emmanuel Godwin, coordinator of the group, criticized Hope Uzodimma for prematurely announcing Idahosa as the winner, arguing that Uzodimma lacked the authority to usurp the duties of local government returning officers.
The controversy surrounding the primary intensified on Monday when Monday Okpebholo, a senator representing Edo central and a governorship aspirant, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Withdrawal of Aspirants
Before the primary election, several aspirants had withdrawn from the race for various reasons. Notably, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former candidate in the previous election, was the first to pull out, citing his decision as being in the interest of peace and unity within the party.
On election day, Lucky Imasuen and Ernest Afolabi also withdrew from the contest, citing the party’s decision to zone the ticket to the central senatorial district of the state.
The upcoming new primary on Thursday is expected to bring clarity and resolution to the ongoing disputes surrounding the APC governorship candidacy in Edo.