ABUJA – Determined to reclaim Edo State government House in the coming September 2024 off season gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress has ruled out any zoning of the governorship ticket in the State.
The party has also approved direct primary as mode of elections to select candidate of the party as it called for unity and patriotism seeamong stakeholders of the APC in Edo.
The decision was part of resolution reached at early hours of Tuesday at a meeting of the APC National Working Committee and Edo stakeholders at APC National Secretariat in Abuja .
Announcing the decisionat a press conference, Durosimi Meseko, Deputy National Publicity of the party also resolved to scale done the number of aspirants seeking the ticket of the party.
The five points communique read by Meseko in the presence of Edo State APC Publicity Secretary, Barr. Peter Uwadie-Igbinigie and Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim , Meseko said all the stakeholders agreed to enter agreement to resolve disputes emanating from the poll without resorting to litigation.
The communique reads: “That after due consultations with Edo State APC stakeholders, the NWC has approved DIRECT PRIMARIES as the mode of election to be used to produce the Governorship candidate of the Party for the state.
“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”.
Earlier in his remarks, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, one of the high profile delegation at the Consultative Stakeholders meeting disclosed that the Edo APC stakeholders have resolved to reclaim the reins of power in the state.
Senator Oshiomhole who blamed the loss of the state to PDP on the activities of elements of the party said the stakeholders have on their own initiated dialogue to reduce the number of aspirants to a manageable number.
“On our part, we have tried to initiate dialogue among our aspirants. It is no secret, that at the time we had the dialogue, I think they (aspirants) were 27. I learned it has increased to 29 now. Tbe process is ongoing, and the struggle continues. So we are looking forward to a healthy celebration”.
About 29 aspirants have indicated interested to run for the ticket of the party. Of the number of aspirants only Jedy Agba, former minister of State for Power has picked form for the election.
Addressing the stakeholders, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the party reminded the stakeholders that Edo is an APC State and must be reclaimed by the party.
He however stressed that their success will depend largely on how the stakeholders work cooperatively with the National leadership.
“Edo is an APC State. You know one of us went on sabbatical leave, and he decided to take up a permanent appointment.
“Now we have to take Edo back. We have only one state from the South-South, for the greatest party in Africa…it’s not acceptable. We were able to get only Cross River State…After crossing so many rivers we succeeded in getting Cross River State. But Edo State, we Isha Allah must get it.”
He said the party is focused on instilling party discipline and internal democracy. So internal democracy is very so that only credible candidate can emerge at the primary.
“We have to be transparent and at the same time, we have to also adopt a guided democracy where we can discuss issues so that we limit if possible the number of contests. Even though it’s not a crime if we have a large number. The party will get more revenue but that’s not the issue.
“The issue is that if we can leave it through agreement, the better for us. Some know that at this material time, maybe because of the location; maybe because of some antecedents, they may not be the best candidate at the moment. That doesn’t mean they will never be a good candidate but through that consensus, we will be able to narrow down so that we have candidates”.
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