As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to hold a fresh primary in Edo State, President Bola Tinubu has directed that the contest be thrown open for aspirants to contest.
This was said by former Edo State governor and senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, in a press conference following their meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to him, President Tinubu has also disregarded any state zoning ordinance.
Three winners emerged from the February 17 primary, although controversy surrounded its handling, with some candidates demanding that it be called off.
While the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma, had announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner, the returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner.
Also, Ojo Babatunde, who claimed to be representing the returning officers in all the local governments declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.
Following the confusion that ensued, both Dekeri and Okpebholo had written the appeal committee of the party to demand their certificates of return.
The situation forced the APC National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress to declare the poll inconclusive.
According to APC spokesman Felix Morka, this came after the party’s National Working Committee called an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to address the ongoing issue stemming from the primary run by the committee chaired by Senator Hope Uzodimma.
The ruling party announced that a new primary will be held on Thursday to choose its candidate for the state’s September 2024 gubernatorial election.
