The Chairman of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship direct primary election committee, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, has revealed plans for a fresh primary across the state.
Otu announced the decision to conduct a new primary in 192 wards across the 18 local government areas at a press briefing in Benin. This comes after the controversial primary election held last Saturday was canceled.
Following the aftermath of the contentious primary, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was removed as the Chairman of the Election Committee, with Otu appointed as his successor.
The re-run poll is scheduled for Thursday, February 22, with other members of the Primary Election Committee including former Osun State deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, APC’s Plateau State 2023 governorship election flagbearer Nentanwe Goshwe, Umar Musa, Lawan Garba, and Rabiu Suleiman as the Secretary.
This change was implemented after four leading aspirants expressed distrust in Uzodimma’s ability to conduct a free and fair election. Aspirants including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd.) vocalized their concerns, leading to the call for Uzodimma’s replacement.
Uzodimma had initially declared a member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, as the winner of the primary, citing a victory with 40,483 votes. However, the controversy surrounding the primary led the APC National Working Committee to declare the poll inconclusive.
