OTU, THE APC’S NEW PRIMARY CHAIR OF EDO GOV, REPLACES UZODIMMA.

Babatunji Wusu –

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was replaced by Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu as Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee for Edo State by the national leadership of the party following the crisis that resulted from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, which produced three candidates.

Remember that on Saturday, February 17, Governor Uzodimma, who presided over the Edo Primary Election Committee, proclaimed Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives, the contest’s victor.

The 43-year-old Idahosa defeated rivals running for governorship with 40,483 votes, according to Uzodimma.
After the state primary ended in a tie, Governor Otu was chosen to take his place as the next Chairman of the Electoral Panel.

The Cross River State governor has now been tasked with overseeing the rerun primary poll scheduled for Thursday, February 22, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Sulaiman Argungu, the APC National Organising Secretary.

Additional members of the Primary Election Committee comprise Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, a former deputy governor of Osun State; Nentanwe Goshwe, the APC’s candidate for Plateau State’s 2023 governorship; Umar Musa; Lawan Garba; and Rabiu Suleiman, who will hold the position of secretary.

A few hours after four prominent contenders demanded that Uzodimma be replaced, the decision was taken.

Following the controversy surrounding Saturday’s exercise, candidates such as Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd.) stated they no longer trust Uzodimma’s competence to conduct a free and fair election.

On Sunday, Dekeri, a politician representing the Etsako federal district in the House of Representatives, was declared the winner of the primary by the returning officers in each of the state’s local government assemblies.

The legislator received 25,384 votes, according to Ojo Babatunde, the returning officers’ spokeswoman, to defeat Idahosa.

Stanley Ugboaja, the returning officer, also announced Senator Monday Okpebholo as the exercise’s victor.