Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted direct mode of primary for the election of its candidate for the Edo State governorship election.Â
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed September 21, 2024, for governorship election, while APC fixed February 17 for its primary poll.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, said the decision to adopt direct mode of primary was part of the resolutions reached after a consultative meeting between the National Working Committee (NWC) and stakeholders in Edo State, held on Monday night.
He however, ruled out zoning of the party’s ticket to a particular zone in the state, adding that the NWC was prevailing on some aspirants to step down for a few to slug it out at the primaries.
According to Meseko, there are 29 aspirants in the race so far.
“In view of the large numbers of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket in Edo State, the NWC urged the stakeholders to unite in trimming the number of aspirants.
“The NWC urged all the governorship aspirants to exhibit party discipline and patriotism by shunning the attitude of running to the courts at every opportunity instead of exploring internal dispute resolution mechanisms, especially after party primaries.
“It was resolved that for the smooth running of the party, all members should ensure strict compliance with their financial obligations to the party, in line with the party’s constitution.
“The NWC also resolved that for want of time, the E-registration exercise of the party for fresh members be conducted after the primaries in order not to derail the smooth conduct of the primaries.
“The stakeholders were urged by the NWC to promote unity within the ranks of the party in order to go into the election as one family bound by progressive ideals and fully geared to reclaim the party’s mandate in Edo State,” he said.
Meseko noted that the party is determined to reclaim the state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that APC would adopt all democratic strategies to win the poll.
In attendance at the briefing were the Edo State APC Publicity Secretary, Barr. Peter Uwadie-Igbinigie and Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim.
