In a new twist to the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, the party’s National Working Committee has ratified Abiola Ajimobi as the Acting National Chairman.
It also disowned Victor Giadom, insisting that his membership of the NWC ceased when he resigned to contest the Deputy Governorship position in Rivers State.
The APC National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Hilliard Eta, who addressed the media soon after Giadom left the party Secretariat, said preparations for the Edo Governorship primary was on course.
A statement by Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s spokesperson on Wednesday said that “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rose from a meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat on Wednesday affirming Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as the Party’s Acting National Chairman following the Appeal Court’s ruling affirming the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman and in line with Section 14.2 (iii) of the Party’s Constitution.”
“Due to Sen. Ajimobi’s unavoidable absence, NWC unanimously appointed the Party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Prince Hilliard Etta to act on Sen. Ajimobi’s behalf, an action backed by the Party’s constitution which empowers the NWC to appoint one of its members in acting capacity and stipulates that the acting National chairman must be from the zone of the National Chairman.”
“Also, committees for the Party’s Edo State Governorship Primary Election scheduled for Monday 22nd June, 2020 and Election Appeal scheduled for Wednesday 24th June, 2020 were also named by the party.”
Primary Election Committee
1. Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma – Chairman
2. Sen. Ajibola Bashiru – Secretary
3. Alh. Abdullahi Abass
4. Hon. Ibrahim Sabo
5. Hon. Ocho Obioma
6. Hajia Amina Lantana Muhammed
7. Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye
Primary Election Appeal
1. Prof. Mustapha Bello – Chairman
2. Dr. Kayode Ajulo – Secretary
3. Hon. Umar Ahmed
4. Nasiru Ibrahim Junju
5. Hon. Rasaq Mahmud Bamu
4. Hon. Ibrahim Sabo
According to Issa-Onilu, “The party also noted the recent ruling of a High Court which declared Hon. Igo Aguma as the Party’s acting chairman in Rivers State. In compliance with the court ruling, our party has recognised Aguma has Rivers State acting Chairman pending when new congresses .. will be held to elect party executive members at the ward, local government and state levels.”
“Sixteen members of the NWC attended the meeting held at the Party’s National Secretariat (13 members attended physically and three others joined the meeting online).”