Edo APC Stakeholders Correct False Alarm And Wrong Impressions Surrounding The Purported Screening Of Edo 2024 APC Governorship Aspirants
THE Concerned Edo APC Stakeholders would like to clarify and correct the false alarm and wrong impressions being peddled by enemies of the @OfficialAPCNg in Edo State regarding the rumored report of a Committee set up to interact with Edo 2024 APC governorship aspirants.
It is important to note that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) recently released the Edo State Guber election timetable and subsequently approved the direct mode of primary election to select the party’s flag bearer. The sales of expression of interest and nomination forms commenced on January 10 and will end on January 29.
In line with the NWC’s guidelines, a consultative meeting was held with stakeholders of the party from Edo State on Monday, January 15, 2024. During the meeting, the stakeholders were urged to unite in trimming the number of aspirants due to the large number of individuals vying for the party’s ticket in Edo State.
The APC State leader, Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole, set up a Six man committee to interface with the aspirants and make recommendations on how the number could be reduced. The committee was not a screening committee as that is the prerogative of the APC National Working Committee.
Edo people were shocked when the news broke out that this Oshiomhole committee had initially recommended ten names among the aspirants and on meeting with Comrade Oshiomhole was told to further remove some names and make the total six.
We would like to State for the records that Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole does not have the authority to constitute a screening committee as he is neither the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress nor a member of the NWC. Furthermore, only aspirants who have completed and submitted their forms can be screened by the committee established by the NWC for this purpose.
The scheduled date for the screening of aspirants, as outlined in the approved timetable by the NWC, is between 8th and 9th February 2024. The Oshiomhole committee unlawfully assumed the functions of the NWC and were unfortunately coerced by Comrade Oshiomhole to submit a report in variance of their earlier recommendation which is in the public domain.
We hereby call on the national chairman of the APC, H.E Dr. @GovUmarGanduj, His Excellency President @officialABAT and other well-meaning party leaders in Edo State and across Nigeria, to intervene and restrain Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his co-travelers. The APC in Edo State should not be plunged into unnecessary crisis ahead of the 2024 governorship election.
It is worth noting that Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s previous usurpation of nomination powers, as witnessed in the nomination of Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shuaibu as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively in 2016, resulted in the party’s opposition status in Edo State today. It is evident that he intends to repeat this indelible error in 2024.
It is common knowledge that Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole has a personal interest on who becomes the Edo State Governor. We, therefore, reject Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s undue influence and demand that he stays clear of the Edo 2024 APC governorship primaries.
The Concerned APC Stakeholders remain committed to the principles of fairness, equity, and justice in the party and sincerely hope that this matter can be resolved amicably for the betterment of the APC and the people of Edo State.
Signed:
Dr. Atsikidi Leonard
Hon. Engr. Dako Elamai
Barr. Bayo Omo-Igeh
Hon. Besta Ozeoya
Chief Vincent Ifada
Hon. Martins Eromosele
Hon. Abu Momodu
Hon. Desmond Ugbo
Hon. Tony Osazuwa
Pastor Stanley Dave Ighodaro
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