By Abiola Olawale
After initially endorsing the winner of the governorship primary election conducted by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, as the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has made a u-turn, declaring the contest inconclusive.
This was in reaction to the controversies that have since trailed the primary election of the party in Edo state. Since Saturday, the New Diplomat had reported that three candidates have emerged, laying claim to the governorship ticket of APC in the forthcoming gubernatorial election of the state.
However, arising from an emergency meeting which lasted through the dead hours of Tuesday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the National Working Committee (NWC), have decided to nullify the election.
Speaking at the party secretariat in Abuja, Morja also announced that a fresh poll will now be conducted on Thursday, February 22.
He said, “I am here to give you the outcome of the emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of our party held today regarding the Edo State governorship primary election.
“At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 to consider the report on the Edo governorship primary election, the National Working Committee of our party deliberated and resolved that the governorship primary election has not been completed and has now fixed Thursday, February 22 for the completion of the APC Edo State” primary election process.”
The New Diplomat had reported that the poll, which was conducted on February 17 had produced three winners.
The Chairman of Electoral Committee of the primary, Governor Uzodimma, had announced Dennis Idahosa as winner, while returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as 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.
Following the confusion that ensued, both Dekeri and Okpebholo had written the appeal committee of the party to demand their certificates of return.
