The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has insisted the party would go ahead with the direct primary mode in picking its candidate for the June 22 Edo State Gubernatorial election.
He made the announcement after a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC on Monday.
This decision was firmly opposed by the faction of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party loyal to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Edo state Governor.
Obaseki, later registered his indifference to the NWC’s choice of primaries as he boasted that he would emerge as the party’s governorship candidate.
It doesn’t matter whether it is direct or indirect primary, I will win because I know what we have done in Edo State,” he boasted, leaning on his over three years performance as the governor of the state.
‘No going back’
Speaking with journalists alongside with the Bagudu at the party national Secretariat, Abuja, Oshiomhole insisted that the reported disagreement with the governor over the mode of primary remained a speculation.
He added that he had not received any formal letter from the governor opposing the method of primary approved by the party.
“Obaseki is not here but issues of primaries are well spelt out in our constitution and we are following it as strictly as possible. So, nothing to worry about at all.
“You are speculating (on Obaseki’s rejection of direct primaries), I don’t have any letter or document to that effect. These are very formal matters. Stop spreading (speculations?),” Mr Oshiomhole told the journalists in company of the party governors.
The national chairman stressed that the ruling party had commenced the sales of forms, stressing that as at last Friday, three people had picked the forms, while noting that the party is still selling forms to all those who wish to buy based on the guidelines of the party.
