BREAKING: APC Bows to Pressure, Removes Uzodimma as Edo Gov Primary Chair, Announces New Appointment

• The APC national leadership has bowed to pressure and dropped the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, as chairman of the electoral committee of the rescheduled Edo state governorship primary election
• The party has appointed Bassey Etu, governor of Cross Rivers state, and erstwhile deputy chairman of the committee, as the new head of the committee
• Legit.ng reports that the change was made a few hours after leading aspirants had demanded Uzodimma’s replacement

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics.

Benin City, Edo state - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed Governor Hope Uzodimma as the chairman of the elections committee.

Legit.ng reports that this follows the controversy that trailed Saturday’, February, 17, governorship primary in Edo state.

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The Imo state governor was replaced with his counterpart from Cross River state, Bassey Otu, who was formerly the deputy chairman of the seven-member committee.

Legit.ng reports that the Imo governor's removal was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 21, by the APC national organising secretary, Sulaiman Argungu.

The re-run poll is slated for Thursday, February 22.

Uzodimma's removal: Nigerians react

Following the development, some Nigerians expressed their thoughts via X (formerly Twitter).

Kayode Olusola wrote:

"There's no sin in committing error. When error is pointed out and not corrected, that becomes a sin. But when error is corrected, it's a sign of maturity.

"Kudos to the leadership of APC for correcting error when discovered in Edo primary election."

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Nathaniel Agada said:

"House of commotion."

Olajide Balogun commented:

"I guess Governor Uzodimma can't be trusted by all participants to be an unbiased umpire."

Edo election: Top aspirants drag Uzodimma

Ahead of the continuation of the governorship primaries of the APC, leading aspirants in the exercise had rejected Uzodinma as the chairman of the elections committee.

In a joint statement signed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Monday Okpebholo and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), the aspirants alleged that Uzodinma did not observe the minimum requirements for compliance with the relevant provisions of the extant laws and regulations guiding the election as provided both in the electoral act and in the APC constitution.

More to read about APC's Uzodimma:

• Tinubu, Obasanjo, Jonathan, grace Uzodimma’s swearing-in ceremony
• Uzodimma, Ubah, others in emergency meeting with Ganduje
• Supreme Court delivers judgment in suit seeking sack of Uzodimma as Imo governor

Things Uzodimma should prioritise in Imo

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Earlier, Legit.ng highlighted two issues that Uzodimma should prioritise after winning a second term in office.

Insecurity is one of the challenges, as Imo is one of the Southeast states seriously affected by the activities of unknown gunmen.

Source: Legit.ng