Step down as Edo APC guber primary chairman, CSO tells Uzodimma

…Commends Tinubu, asks stakeholders to play by the rule

Ahead of Thursday’s ordered rerun of the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Civil Society Forum (ACSC) has asked the chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election, Senator Hope Uzodimma to step aside for the credibility of the ongoing process.

The Forum also urged all stakeholders involved in the APC primary electiondls in Edo state to play their roles according to the rule of law, fairness, and transparency.

The party had on Tuesday night declared that last Saturday governorship election held in Edo state was inconclusive and therefore fixed Thursday February 22, 2024, to conclude the process.

Three of the 12 governorship aspirants were laying claim to victory at the end of the said controversial primary election.

Addressing newsmen Wednesday in Abuja, Chairman of the African Civil Society Forum, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, said it is essential that the rescheduled process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles to ensure that the will of the people is respected and upheld.

According to Dr. Asaolu, Nigerians, especially the APC members need to build trust and confidence on the election committee which governor Hope Uzodimma do not represent.

Asaolu said: “We wish to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces for his timely intervention on the Edo APC Governorship primary election that produced three candidates.

“Mr President intervention which led to the cancellation of the entire exercise has justified his position as a true democrat with fatherly love for all Nigerians.

“The recent developments surrounding the Edo State APC Governorship Primary Election have captured the attention of the nation, and it is imperative that we, as stakeholders in the democratic process, address this situation with responsibility and fairness.

“We commend Mr. President for his decisive intervention in this matter. His fatherly role in seeking a resolution to the contentious primary election impasse is commendable and reflects his commitment to upholding democratic values and principles. Call for Adherence to Democratic Principles:

“We urged all stakeholders involved in the APC primary electiondls in Edo State to play their roles according to the rule of law, fairness, and transparency.

“It is therefore essential that the rescheduled process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles to ensure that the will of the people is respected and upheld.

“We hereby call on Sen. Hope Uzodinma, the Chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary which is described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process.”