Edo 2016: APC NWC okays Obaseki as governorship candidate

THE National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Monday, announced Mr Godwin Obaseki as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.

The announcement followed the adoption of the report of the Appeals Committee on Edo State June 18 Governorship Primaries, chaired by Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele.

The APC NWC decision was conveyed by the party’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni.

It will be recalled that the three-member appeal committee, on Wednesday, June 29, submitted its report to the national chairman at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Other members of the committee are Alhaji Mustapha Salisu and Mrs Ekwy Onyido.

The appeal committee received petitions from two aspirants, Mr Kenneth Imansuagbon and Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi.

The committee commenced sitting on Tuesday, June 21, and sat till Tuesday, June 28.

The appeal committee, in its report, submitted that the Edo State 2016 governorship primaries was valid and while not dismissing the seriousness of the allegations and claims of the petitioners, the issues raised were not compelling as to warrant the cancellation of the election.

The committee called on all APC stakeholders in the state to put the party’s interest over and above personal interests in ensuring a speedy and amicable reconciliation.

The committee recommended that the leadership of the party step up diplomacy in trying to reconcile stakeholders in Edo State.

It also urged the National Chairman of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, to consolidate on his involvement in reaching out to aggrieved parties.

The committee also recommended that a high-powered committee be set up by the party to reach out and mediate between the governor, Adams Oshiomhole and all aspirants who participated in the primaries.