A group, African Civil Society Forum, has called on the Chairman of Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Election Committee, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, to step aside, Daily Post reports.
The group said Uzodinma conducted a ‘shabby’ primary.
Recall that three of the 10 aspirants who contested the election are laying claim to victory, while two aspirants withdrew from the election a few hours before commencement.
Governor Uzodinma’s Primary Election Committee on Saturday declared Hon. Dennis Idahosa winner.
In the same vein, Senator Okpebholo was declared winner by the Chief Returning Officer, Dr. Stanley Ugboaja, while Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri was announced as the winner of the primary by the spokesman of local government returning officers, Mr. Ojo Babatunde.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Chairman of Governing Board of the group, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, commended President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis which trailed the primaries.
Asaolu said the President’s intervention which led to the cancellation of the entire exercise has justified his position as a true democrat with fatherly love for all Nigerians.
Asaolu 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.
He added that it was 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.
Asaolu stated: “On behalf of the African Civil Society Forum and under the auspices of the Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance, I wish to commend Mr. President for his decisive intervention in this matter.
“His fatherly role in seeking a resolution to the contentious primary election impasse is commendable and reflects his commitment to upholding democratic values and principles. Call for Adherence to Democratic Principles: “We hereby call on Sen. Hope Uzodinma, the Chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election, to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary which is described by Nigerians as a quagmire to build trust on the process.”
The group noted that Nigerians, especially the APC members, need to have trust and confidence in the election committee.
