
This was made public by the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, at the APC National Secretariat, on Monday.
Buni said the party leadership upheld the panel’s recommendation that the winner of the primary, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, should be confirmed as its standard bearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
The party’s decision was sequel to the receipt and consideration of the Opeyemi Bamidele-led three-member Appeal Committee.
Other members of the committee are Alhaji Mustapha Salisu and Mrs. Ekwy Onyido.
While submitting its report a few weeks ago, the committee said it received petitions from two aspirants — Kenneth Imansuagbon and Chris Ogiemwonyi — after which it met with the petitioners as well as the respondent.
The Appeal Committee said after meeting with them and carrying out independent investigations, it came to the conclusion that the primary was valid.
The committee said while it did not dismiss the seriousness of the allegations and claims of the petitioners, the issues they raised were not compelling enough to warrant the cancellation of the primary.
It appealed to all APC stakeholders in Edo State to put the party’s interest above their personal interests in order to ensure a speedy and amicable reconciliation of the crisis.
The committee’s recommendations include an appeal to the party leadership to speed up diplomatic efforts to reconcile party stakeholders across the state.
It also urged the party’s national chairman to “consolidate on his involvement” in reaching out to all aggrieved parties.
The appeals committee also recommended that a high-powered committee be set up by the APC to reach out and mediate between the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and all the aspirants who participated in the primary.
Shortly after the announcement of the party’s position on the issue, the party’s National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, issued a statement, congratulating Obaseki on his emergence as the party’s standard bearer.
He also congratulated the Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari-led seven-member Election Committee for successfully conducting what he described as a very transparent, free, fair and credible governorship primary in Edo State.
The statement partly read, “He also thanked the Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele-led three-member Edo State governorship Election Appeal Committee for successfully carrying out its assignment and submitting a report.
“Odigie-Oyegun also appealed to party stakeholders to close ranks and support Obaseki in the build-up to the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.”
On his part, Obaseki confirmed the selection of the member representing Etsako Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Philip Shaibu, as his running mate.
Meanwhile, the APC in Edo State has assured the people of the state that President Mohammadu Buhari does not believe in electoral fraud and will therefore not help anyone to rig election no matter his stake in the contest .
Comrade Godwin Erhahon , State Publicity Secretary said Leaders of All Progressives Congress in Edo State should therefore humble themselves and work hard sincerely if they truly hope to win September 10, 2016 governorship election.
The State Publicity Secretary of the Party gave the assurance in reaction to an appeal made to President Buhari by PDP leadership at a rally in Auchi that the President should allow level playing field for all parties.
Comrade Erhahon therefore advised the gold-diggers in APC who are refusing to make peace with those they maliciously and viciously offended during the intrigues that proceeded the June 18, primaries, hoping ignorantly that incumbency factor at federal level would sail them through.
“As one who has been with President Buhari since the beginning of his political struggle in 2003, I can vouch for him that his anti-corruption fight is not hypocritical.
“He will never encourage electoral fraud nor push EFCC against anyone.
Even as a popular but poor Presidential candidate of CPC in 2011, President Buhari rejected donations from some of his well-wishers whose source of income he didn’t trust.
“Likewise, let no one think that the outcome of the forthcoming election will make or mar Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as National Chairman as it is now known to all that he is completely sidelined and snubbed in the entire process.
“There are signs already that the Binis who are his home community with about fithy-three percent of voters in the State may not allow him take part in the campaign for those who derive pressures in pulling down Benin leaders.
“The only solution is for President Buhari himself to intercede and pacify the people of the great Benin Kingdom before it is too late. The President should not expect mad men to heal themselves. “