Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, has come under fire from former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi for reportedly trying to force the party to choose a candidate for governor.
Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the party, was accused by Fayemi of being “disruptive” in the state’s gubernatorial primary on February 17, 2024.
According to reports, the APC held a primary election in Edo last Saturday in preparation for the state’s governorship race on September 21, 2024.
Three candidates emerged from the primaries vying for the party’s governorship ticket.
The primary election committee’s chairman, Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State, declared Dennis Idahosa the winner; Sunday Dekeri was declared the winner by Ojo Babatunde, the returning officers’ spokesperson; and on Monday, Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo Central, asserted that he had received more than 6,000 votes.
On Tuesday, the APC’s national leadership ruled that the primary was unresolved.
The revised date set by the party for the conclusion of the primary election process is Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Uzodinma has been replaced as the chairman of the primary election commission by Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.
Oshiomhole met President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday on the Edo primary election at the Presidential Villa.
The senator said the President expressed his commitment to a free and fair primary and that he is not in support of zoning the party’s ticket.
However, in a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, his media aide, Fayemi on Thursday blamed Oshiomhole for the crisis that has engulfed the APC in Edo State.
Fayemi said Oshiomhole ousted Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State, from the party during the build up to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.
“Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo State by the APC,” Fayemi said.
“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo State because of his unconscionable behaviour.
“However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.
“We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.
“Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules.
“My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.”
