The All Progressives Congress (APC) has replaced Governor Hope Uzodimma as Chairman of the Elections Committee following controversies surrounding Saturday’s governorship primary in Edo State. His successor is his Cross River State counterpart, Bassey Otu, as announced by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, in a statement on Wednesday.

Otu is tasked with overseeing the re-run poll scheduled for Thursday, February 22. Other members of the Primary Election Committee include former Osun State deputy governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Nentanwe Goshwe, APC’s flagbearer in the Plateau State 2023 governorship election; Umar Musa; Lawan Garba; and Rabiu Suleiman, who serves as the Secretary.

The decision to replace Uzodimma came after four leading aspirants, namely Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd.), called for his replacement, expressing doubts about his ability to conduct a free and fair election.

Uzodimma, who chaired the Edo Primary Election Committee on February 17, declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives, as the winner, stating that Idahosa garnered 40,483 votes. However, discrepancies emerged when the returning officers in the various LGAs announced Sunday Dekeri as the victor with 25,384 votes.

Following the contentious primary, the APC declared the exercise inconclusive, prompting the National Working Committee to convene an emergency meeting. The party announced that a new primary would take place on Thursday to determine its flagbearer for the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State. According to APC spokesman Felix Morka, the NWC resolved to complete the primary election process on February 22.