APC Announces Method to Pick Edo Governorship Candidate, Details Emerge

• The APC's NWC has jettisoned the clamour for zoning ahead of its Edo state governorship primary election in February
• The party said it has adopted the direct mode of primary for picking its candidate for the Edo election
• APC stated it is determined to win Edo come September, a state that used to be under its control

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria

FCT, Abuja - The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved direct primaries as the mode of election to produce the governorship candidate of the party for Edo state.

The party said on Tuesday, January 16, that it arrived at the decision after due consultations with party stakeholders in the state.

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Edo election: APC discards zoning

The party had fixed February 17 for its primary election. Sales of forms commenced on January 10 and will end on Monday, January 29.

APC said its decision was the outcome of the NWC's meeting with stakeholders from Edo state late Monday night, January 15.

The party stated that it is determined to reclaim Edo.

Check out the details in the tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the party below:

Meanwhile, about 29 aspirants are believed to be jostling for the party’s governorship ticket.

Leadership newspaper quoted Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the APC, as saying:

"Edo is an APC state. Now we have to take Edo back. We have only one state from the south-south for the greatest party in Africa which is not acceptable.

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"We were able to get only Cross River State; after crossing so many rivers we succeeded in getting Cross River. But Edo state, we Insha Allah must get it.”

Oshiomhole speaks on Shaibu’s possible defection

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the senator representing Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole, downplayed the speculation that the deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu will defect to the APC and dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oshiomhole in a veiled reference to the speculation, said the APC was not a rehabilitation centre for distressed politicians.

Powerful ex-governors sacked me as APC chair, Oshiomhole

Legit.ng also reported that Oshiomhole, a former APC national chairman, narrated how he was removed from office while piloting the affairs of the ruling party.

Oshiomhole, a two-term governor of Edo state and current senator, disclosed that his battle with the governors led to his removal as the national chairman of the APC.

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Edo: Anxiety as APC chairman resigns, gives reason

Amosun reacts to Oshiomhole's claim

Meanwhile, former Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has accused Senator Oshiomhole, of turning the truth on its head over circumstances surrounding his (Oshiomhole's) ouster as chairman of the APC.

Amosun lampooned Oshiomhole over his role during the APC primaries in 2019, describing him as the “biggest and most destructive threat” to the ruling party.

Source: Legit.ng