- The Saturday primaries produced three different candidates – Dennis Idahosa, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Anamero Sunday Dekeri.
Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River State, has been appointed as the chairman of the governorship primary election committee for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.
Otu will be replacing Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The replacement of Uzodinma followed calls for his removal as the chairman of the election committee amid controversy and confusion that trailed the party’s primary elections last Saturday.
The Saturday primaries produced three different candidates – Dennis Idahosa, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Anamero Sunday Dekeri.
Uzodinma had declared Dennis Idahosa the winner of the exercise. The exercise was also marred by violence as hoodlums attacked party members and journalists.
Following the controversy, the National Working Committee of the ruling party declared the initial primary election inconclusive and held an emergency meeting on Tuesday night in Abuja, where it was resolved that a fresh primary would be conducted on Thursday.
In a list released on the eve of the new primary, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River was listed as the chairman of the new committee that will oversee the election.
Before the announcement, there was outrage from various quarters demanding the removal of Uzodinma as chairman of the panel.
In a statement jointly signed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere, rtd, the aspirants said Uzodinma did not observe the minimum requirements for compliance with the relevant provisions of the laws and regulations guiding the election as provided in both the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution