Edo APC Primaries: Aspirants Reject Hope Uzodinma As Election Committee Chairman
By Hauwa Gidado, Abuja
Ahead of Thursday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, leading aspirants in the exercise have rejected the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as Chairman of the Election Committee.
This was made known in a joint statement signed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo and General Charles Airhiavbere.
The aspirants said Governor Uzodinma did not observe the minimum requirements for compliance with the relevant provisions of the extant laws and regulations guiding the election as provided both in the Electoral Act and in the APC Constitution.
“We strongly believe that whatever was responsible for his flagrant disregard for due process and unusual hasty declaration of unconfirmed fictitious results of the primaries outside the designated collation center may not have abated from his mind, and therefore may be repeated if given the opportunity to play the same role as chairman in the process,” the statement read.
The aspirants also called on President Bola Tinubu to replace Governor Uzodimma as the Chairman of the Elections Committee.
“In the circumstance, we are calling on Mr. President to kindly use his good offices to replace Senator Hope Uzodinma with any other respected member of our great party, as chairman whom the President strongly believes will comply with the law, maintain internal democracy, protect and defend the integrity and goodwill of the President which he has attained over the years that endeared him to both national and international stakeholders.
“We have implicit confidence in Mr. President’s devotion to justice, equity and fairness in the process that will produce the Gubernatorial Candidate of our party in Edo State which is now rescheduled for tomorrow 22nd February 2024, and also ensure victory for our party in the governorship election that is scheduled for September, 2024,” the statement added.
Confidence Okwuchi