The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has welcomed the decision of the national leadership of the party to rerun the governorship election in the state which ended in a crisis.
The APC Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae, said the party was ready for the rerun holding today (Thursday), adding that the state exco would speak further after the exercise.
The last Saturday’s primary, superintended by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, produced three ‘winners’ and created confusion in the party.
Uzodimma had announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner, while the Returning Officer, Stanley Ugboaja, also declared Monday Okpebholo, as the winner.
Elsewhere, Ojo Babatunde, who claimed to be representing the returning officers in all the local governments declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.
Late Tuesday, the national leadership of the APC in Abuja declared the Saturday’s primary inconclusive.
In a follow-up statement on Wednesday, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, said the Edo State governorship primary would be conducted afresh today (Thursday).
Argungu also announced that Uzodimma had been replaced with Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, as the chairman of the primary election committee.
Otu will be leading the committee, comprising a former Osun State deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; APC’s candidate in the Plateau State 2023 governorship election, Nentanwe Goshwe; Umar Musa; Lawan Garba and Rabiu Suleiman.
The changes were made a few hours after four leading Edo State governorship aspirants passed a vote of no confidence in Uzodimma.
Meanwhile, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State will also be conducting its governorship primary today.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
