The governorship primary election held in Edo State on Saturday has been declared inconclusive by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has announced that a new primary will take place on Thursday to determine its flagbearer for the upcoming September 2024 governorship election in the state.
This decision follows the controversies surrounding the poll for the September 21 gubernatorial election. Governor Hope Uzodinma, who chaired the Electoral Committee, initially declared Dennis Idahosa as the winner, while the returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, announced Monday Okpebholo as the victor. Additionally, Ojo Babatunde, claiming to be a spokesperson for returning officers of all local governments, declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.
In response to the confusion, the party's leadership convened on Tuesday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, emphasized that the election was inconclusive. He stated that the process would resume on Thursday, February 22, to complete the APC Edo State primary election process.
"I am here to give you the outcome of the emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of our party held today regarding the Edo State governorship primary election. At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to consider the report on the Edo governorship primary election, the National Working Committee of our party deliberated and resolved that the governorship primary election has not been completed and has now fixed Thursday, February 22, for the completion of the APC Edo State primary election process,"
emphasized Felix Morka.