*Edo APC haven’t notified Us On Compliance With COVID-19 law — Edo SSG
*We Don’t Need Obaseki’s Permission To Conduct Primary In Edo-APC Chief
By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, The New Diplomat’s data and poll tracking desk)
As the race for the governorship election in Edo state intensifies, the All Progressives Congress(APC) chapter in Edo State and the Edo State government have expressed divergent positions on the role of the state government on primaries of political parties in the state.
The state government on Sunday said several political parties whose candidates would be contesting the September 19 governorship polls have informed have informed the Edo state government on their readiness to comply with the state’s COVID-19 Law or protocols with respect to political gathering, the APC has not done so. Secretary to Edo State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, who issued a statement to this effect at the weekend said the state government was interested in protecting the lives of Edo people. According to Ogie, the law was put in place to ensure that the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.
Read also: Edo Guber: PDP Screens, Clears Obaseki
It would be recalled that the APC governorship Primary Committee Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state had said on Sunday, that the committee will comply with the COVID-19 law and ensure that not more than 18 persons gather at a spot from the beginning of the primaries to the end.
The law or protocol maintains that not more than 20 persons should gather accordingly. But Edo Government said on Sunday: “We note with concern that all the political parties conducting primary elections in Edo State have notified the government of their readiness to comply with the extant laws of COVID-19 regulations, except the All Progressives Congress, APC.”
Read also: Edo 2020: Court Restrains PDP From Excluding Obaseki, Others From Primary
In apparent response to the controversy, a chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State and the Director of Communication and Media for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, Prince John Mayaki, has said that APC as a political would not need the permission of the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki to conduct the party’s primary.
According to him the direct mode of primary adopted was consistent with the governor’s gazette, which permits a gathering of 20 persons. He said:. “Having studied the Governor’s gazette, and without bias, the party chapter in Edo State has designed a primary process that will see only a maximum of 18 persons, including officials, observers, and voters, converge at a single point for the entire duration of the exercise across wards tomorrow even though the gazette permitted 20 persons.
“Necessary clearance has been sought and obtained from all relevant bodies including the electoral body, INEC, the Police, and health agencies who have all attested to the readiness of the party to conduct the exercise without violating any existing laws in place to prevent the spread of the viral disease.
Read also: INEC Set For APC’s Direct Primary As Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, Others Face Screening Panel
”The Governor should seek immediate attention for his obsession with the APC, focus on his new party, and desist from calculated moves intended to introduce chaos and disunity in our advancing party.
“The voluntary exit of the Governor has opened the door to a blast of fresh air and decorum, and we are making great strides in the quest to build a stronger Edo”
Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and his immediate predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole have been engaged in a protracted battle for the soul of Edo state. Things got to ahead last week as supporters of both camps engaged in blistering war of words leading to escalated acrimonious verbal altercations.
