TheCable

The All Progressives Congress has clarified why it replaced Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state, with Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River, as chairman of the Edo APC primary election committee. 

On Wednesday, the APC appointed Otu as the chairman of its governorship primary election committee in Edo state.

The party also declared the initial primary election inconclusive after some governorship aspirants were declared winners of the exercise.

Uzodinma, who was the chairman of the panel when the primary was held on Saturday, had declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the house of representatives, winner of the exercise.

However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, said Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the house of representatives, polled 25,384 votes to defeat Idahosa.

In another twist of events, Monday Okpebholo, senator representing Edo central and a governorship aspirant, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.

In a statement by Felix Morka, APC spokesperson, the party said Uzodinma was neither sacked nor dropped as the committee chair as reported.

The party said Uzodinma was “unavoidably unavailable” to lead the completion of the primary election.

“We wish to clarify that Governor Uzodinma was neither “sacked” nor “dropped”, as has been erroneously reported, but was unavoidably unavailable to lead the completion of the Party’s Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election Process due to his prior scheduled attendance of, and presentation of a report, to the National Economic Council meeting today February 22, 2024,” the party said.

“As a result, His Excellency Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross Rivers State, who was the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, graciously accepted to serve as Chairman, and to complete the Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election Process.”