Anthony Iwuoma
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed direct primaries for the Edo gubernatorial elections on June 22.
The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, made the disclosure at a press conference at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, after meeting with the APC Governors Forum led by Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu.
However, he added that the party was yet to decide on the modalities of primaries for the Ondo gubernatorial election slated for July 20.
Oshiomhole said: “We have since published our time table because, under the law, we are required to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days’ notice to monitor our primaries.
“And to state, the mode of our primaries and of course NWC had approved direct primaries for Edo.
“That of Ondo has not been discussed because that will come much later because Edo will come about three weeks before Ondo.”
Speaking further, the party chair said the party had commenced selling forms for expression of interest and nomination, which is going on smoothly.
“We have commenced the sale of forms, I think as of last Friday to my knowledge three people had picked the forms.
“I think by today more people have picked the forms. So, we are selling forms to all those who wish to buy based on the guidelines.
“And, of course, as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors rightly said, we have ensured in our letter to INEC and even this morning we had a virtual meeting with INEC leadership.
“We will conduct primaries taking into account the protocols on COVID-19 by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Nigeria Commission for Disease Control (NCDC). I think everything has been going fine,” Oshionhole added.
He assured that the party would rally round any candidate that emerges from the primaries in convincing the electorate to vote for him.
According to him: “I am sure that by the special grace of God, the Ondo Governor is here, he did well and electorate are more sophisticated now, so we have no fear about that.
“Obaseki is not here but issues of primaries are well spelled out in our constitution and we are following it as strictly as possible. So, nothing to worry about at all.”
Bagudu had earlier disclosed that the meeting discussed issues concerning the progress of the party.
