The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Edo state will hold Monday in the 192 wards across the 18 local government areas.
Two aspirants – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Dr. Pius Odubu – are participating in the direct primary election, which a Court of Appeal in Benin on Thursday technically cleared to hold.
Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to APC in December and was on May 21, cleared by the ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to contest the shadow election.
Odubu served as deputy governor in Adams Oshiomhole administration.
Chairman of the seven-member Governorship Primary Election Committee, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, said on Sunday that not more than 18 persons would be allowed into the voting centre at a time.
Uzodimma explained that the novel idea was to prevent violation of the state government’s COVID-19 regulations, especially the part that bars a gathering of more than 20 persons at a point.
He also promised a free and fair contest.
He spoke through his Commissioner for Information Declan Emelumba.
Secretary of the Primary Organising Committee Senator Ajibola Basiru said in Benin, the Edo State capital: “Voting will commence simultaneously at 8 a.m. at the 192 wards in Edo State. Not more than 18 persons will be allowed to gather at the same time from the commencement of voting to the end of the exercise, when the results will be announced.
“We are strictly complying with Edo State’s extant law prohibiting gathering of more than 20 persons. Not more than 18 persons, including presiding officers and observers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), shall be at each of the wards’ voting centres at any point in time.
“There shall be simultaneous accreditation and voting in batches, until all eligible members of APC have cast their votes, without violation of Edo State’s COVID-19 regulations.
“Not more than 18 persons shall also be in attendance for the announcement of results at all wards’ centres and collation of results at all levels, including the state collation.
“All members of APC and members of the public are enjoined to be peaceful and comply fully with Edo State’s COVID-19 regulations.”
Ize-Iaymu and Odubu were upbeat on Sunday of emerging the APC torchbearer at the end of the exercise.
