As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for the continuation of the Edo governorship primaries, frontline aspirants have united to oppose Senator Hope Uzodinma’s role as Chairman of the Elections Committee.
In a joint statement, signed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), the aspirants criticized Uzodinma for failing to adhere to the minimum requirements outlined in the Electoral Act and APC Constitution.
Recall that the APC National Working Committee declared last Saturday’s primary election inconclusive, leading to an emergency meeting late Tuesday where it was decided to resume the process on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Following conflicting declarations by local government returning officers and Uzodinma himself, tensions rose as candidates demanded Certificates of Return.
Expressing distrust in Uzodinma’s ability to oversee a fair process, the aspirants urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and appoint a replacement who would uphold the party’s integrity and adhere to democratic principles.
They highlighted the need for fairness and justice in selecting the APC gubernatorial candidate for Edo State, scheduled for tomorrow, February 22, 2024, with an eye towards victory in the September 2024 election.
“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.
“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.
“Furthermore, we believe that this is the only way to remedy the ridicule and embarrassment that Uzodinma’s tactless and overzealous behaviour, which in the view of keen observers of happenings in the ongoing process of nominating a viable candidate of our party, runs within the borderline of mischief and clotted with antidemocratic vestments, unknown to law.
“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 reads in part.
