Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Bakare Majeed
Published on 2024-02-21 18:51:37
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken steps to address the situation in the aftermath of the botched Edo State Governorship election primary. Following the events of Saturday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC convened to make key decisions. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who previously held the position as chairman of the election primary, has been replaced.
The NWC declared Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State as the new chairman, along with a seven-member committee comprising Shettima Shehu, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Nentanwe Goshwe, Umar Hassan, Lawan Garba, and Rabiu Suleiman as the Secretary. This new committee will be taking charge of addressing the issues and ensuring the successful completion of the election primary process.
It is important to note that Mr Otu previously served as deputy chairman under the leadership of Mr Uzodinma. With this new leadership in place, the expectation is that they will bring stability and efficiency to the process, given the challenges experienced in the previous election.
The Uzodinma-led committee conducted a primary election on Saturday, which was marred by violence and resulted in the emergence of multiple candidates. This created uncertainty and raised questions about the integrity of the process. Despite Mr Uzodinma’s announcement of Dennis Idahosa as the party’s candidate, other contenders also emerged, leading to a lack of consensus and confusion within the party.
In response to this, the NWC declared the election inconclusive and scheduled Thursday for the conclusion of the exercise. This decision was aimed at addressing the discrepancies and ensuring a fair and transparent process for the selection of the party’s candidate for the governorship election.
The primary election appeal committee, which is crucial in resolving disputes and concerns, was also retained by the NWC. C.C. Udenwa was appointed as the chairperson of the committee, with Muhammad Sarina, Udogu Chijoke, Muhammad Ali, and Yunusa Mohammed serving as members, and fulfilling the role of the Secretary.
As the APC navigates through this challenging situation, it is clear that the party is committed to upholding the principles of fairness and integrity in its internal processes. With the new leadership in place and the continued support of the primary election appeal committee, the party aims to conduct a successful and credible election primary, ensuring that the right candidate emerges to represent the party in the upcoming governorship election.
Amidst these developments, the need for unity, transparency, and adherence to democratic norms within the APC becomes more apparent. With the stake of the party and its members at hand, achieving consensus and providing a level playing field for all candidates remains a top priority.
As the NWC continues to address the aftermath of the botched election, it seeks to uphold the integrity of the party and ensure that the APC participates in the Edo State Governorship election with a strong and unified vision. Its efforts are underscored by the determination to conduct a credible and transparent primary election process, reflective of the party’s commitment to good governance and democratic values.
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