Edo 2020: Oshiomhole Defends His Choice For Direct Primaries

The choice and model of the election that will be adopted for the All Progressive Congressive primaries in Edo State has continued to generate tension with both the State governor Godwin Obaseki and his Erstwhile godfather, Adams Oshiomhole picking different mode of primaries.

However, speaking and defending his choice for direct mode of primaries, Oshiomhole, reportedly informed INEC that the party had agreed to choose its governorship candidate even before the national working committee of the party took the decision.

Naija News learnt that the NWC, headed by Oshiomhole, reached the decision on May 22 but Oshiomhole had written to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, three days earlier.

In the letter dated May 19,  Oshiomhole said the party had agreed that direct primary would be conducted in 192 wards.

“I convey to you my compliments and wish to respectfully inform you that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to conduct direct primary for the Edo state governorship election on Monday, 22 of June. 2020.” 

“To this end, we have put in place modalities to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 prevention guidelines as announced by the COVID-19 presidential task force (PTF) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“Therefore, direct primaries will be conducted in one hundred and ninety two wards (192).

“We accordingly invite you as observers of the primaries with full compliance with the All Progressives Congress constitution and the electoral act.” the letter read.

Obaseki has been at loggerheads with Oshiomhole, and this has divided the party in the state.

Oshiomhole’s faction is believed to be supporting Osagie Ize-Iyamu who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the heat of the crisis between Obaseki and the APC national chairman.