From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally bowed to immense pressure from stakeholders by removing the governor of Imo state and chairman of the party primary committee for the Edo State governorship election, Hope Uzodinma.
The national leadership of the party had declared the Edo primary election inconclusive after several hours meeting at the headquarters of the party on Tuesday night, ordering the completion of the exercise on Thursday.
APC, in a statement it issued on Wednesday, signed by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, announced the governor of Cross River state, Bassey Otu, will now head the committee to complete the exercise on Thursday.
The new inclusion in the committee, according to the revised members of the governorship primary election and primary appeal committees, is Shettima Shehu, while other members like Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Nentanwe Yilwatde Goshwe, Umar Hassan, Lawan Garba and Rabiu Suleiman, the Secretary retained their list.
Earlier on Wednesday, the clamour for the removal of Governor Uzodinma had gathered momentum with Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the auspices of Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance of the African Civil Society Forum, insisted that he must not spearhead the conclusion of the exercise.
Tunji John Asaolu, the group’s Chairman of Governing Board, addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, called on the Chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process.
We urged all stakeholders involved in the APC primary election in Edo state to play their roles according to the rule of law, fairness, and transparency. It is therefore essential that the rescheduled process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles to ensure that the will of the people is respected and upheld.
“We hereby call on Hope Uzodinma, the chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election, to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary which is described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process.
“Nigerians, especially the APC members, need to build trust and confidence on the election committee which Hope does not represent,” the group insisted.