Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma has been removed as Chairman of a seven-member committee to conclude the February 22, 2024, All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial Primary Election to elect the Party’s governorship flagbearer, a release by the APC National Organizing Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu has disclosed.
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu will serve as the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.
This development followed the rancourous primary held on February 17th which produced three candidates claim victory as the party’s flagbearer.
To douse the tension, the national working committee of the party yesterday at its emergency meeting held to consider the report on the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, resolved that the Edo State Governorship Primary Election has not been completed, and has now fixed Thursday February 22, 2024 for the completion of the Primary Election Process.
However, Shettima Shehu was drafted to the seven-member committee while other members of the Primary Election Committee which include: Former Osun state deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; APC’s flagbearer in the Plateau State 2023 governorship election, Nentanwe Yilwatde Goshwe; Umar Musa; Lawan Garba and Rabiu Suleiman who was the Secretary were retained.
Also retained are the membership of the Edo State gubernatorial Primary Election Appeal Committee, chaired by Barr. C.C Udenwa with the following members: Muhammad Zakaria Sarina; Udogu Anthony Chijoke; Muhammad Garin Ali and Yunusa Mohammed who was the Secretary.
The Governor Hope Uzodinma-led primary committee had announced Hon. Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary, having polled 40, 453 votes to defeat the other aspirants.
Uzodinma announced, “Of the 12 aspirants that contested this primary, Clem Agba scored 100 votes, Monday Okpebholo 100 votes, Hon Dekeri Anamero, 230 votes, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, 2 votes, Gideon Ikhine 700 votes , David Imuse, 400 votes, Charles Airhiavbere 162 votes, Osariemen Osunbor, 180, Blessing Agbomhere, 50 votes , Dennis Idahosa, 40, 453 votes , Ernest Afolabi 2 votes and Lucky Imansuen 2 votes.”
Uzodinma said Idahosa, having polled the highest number of votes, had been declared the winner.
He said earlier in the day, there was misinformation on the venue of the primary, adding that the Protea Hotel venue was the right secretariat for announcement of results.
Similarly, the state returning officer, Stanley Ugboajah appointed as returning officer from Abuja, had relocated from the initial venue where the announcement was ongoing before they were violently attacked.
The team led by Ugboajah had declared Sen. Monday Okpebholo winner and thereby announced him as the candidate of the party in the September 21 governorship election.
The state’s chief electoral officers said; “Dr Blessing Agbomhere scored 834, Charles Airhvbere scored 919, Osareime Osunbor 688, David Imuse, 507, Monday Okpebolo, 12, 145 votes, Dennis Idahosa, 5, 536, Ernest Afolabi, 2,090, Gidoen, 902, Ize-Iyamu, 383, Anamero Dekeri, 1625, Lucky Imansue, 503.
“This is to certify that Monday Okpebholo has scored the highest votes, and declared winner of the APC governorship primary and thereby declared the candidate of the party.”
Thediscoverer.ng gathered that not less than four of the aspirants have issued statements discrediting the results threatening to approach the courts to seek redress if nothing is done.
A group under the aiges of APC Solidarity Network had stormed the national secretariat of the party earlier today asking for the sack of Uzodinma to create a level playing field for all aspirants in the race.
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