By Kolawole Ojebisi
Victor Giadom, who recently declared himself as the Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to validate the APC primary held to select the party’s candidate for the Edo governorship election.
The APC governorship primary was conducted on Monday across Edo state. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was declared winner of the preparatory election after claiming landslide victory, polling 27,388 votes.
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But in a letter dated June 18 received by INEC on Monday, Giadom urged the commission not to be involved in the primary election, as he did not authorise the process.
He also copied the inspector-general of police (IGP), department of state service (DSS) and the Edo APC.
“Reports reaching me is that some persons have perfected plans to conduct direct gubernatorial primaries for our great party in Edo State next week under the purported chairmanship of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma on Monday, June 22, 2020,” it read.
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“Kindly note that as the Acting Chairman of our party, I did not authorize such a committee, neither have I inaugurated one. The earlier announced date for the primaries that is June 22, 2020, has been postponed.
“You are therefore advised not to give any support to any such committee or to monitor any such primaries. A new date for the primaries would be communicated to you soonest. We regret the inconvenience this might cause your commission.”
He added that a copy of the letter would be sent to the relevant law enforcement agencies and Anselm Ojezua, Edo APC chairman, “for their information and necessary actions”.
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Giadom had declared himself the APC national chairman following the ruling of the court of appeal which affirmed Adam Oshiomhole’s suspension from the same position.
Although a high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) reaffirmed Giadom’s position, another high court in Rivers state restrained him from parading himself as
The party, however, maintained that Abiola Ajimobi, former Oyo governor, is its acting chairman, while Hilliard Eta, vice chairman of the party (south-south), was appointed to stand in for Ajimobi who was “unavoidably absent”.
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Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, Worgu Boms was sworn in as the National Deputy Secretary and will take Giadom’s place in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
The New Diplomat had also reported how Magnus Abe and Rotimi Amaechi’s factions in Rivers state APC were at loggerheads over the choice of Worgu as replacement for Giadom.
It is being reported that the Amaechi’s faction is pushing Giadom for the position of the Acting National Chairman of the APC, while on the other hand, Magnus Abe’s faction is in support of Worgu.
