There appears to be confusion in the Imo APC as the party is yet to fix a date for its primary elections across the 27 LGAs and 305 Wards of the state.
Again, Governor Hope Uzodinma’s silence on a date in his recent speech has also raised concerns among political watchers.
The leadership of the party had earlier on August 16 selected August 22 for the primary exercise.
The announcement was made by the State Chairman of the party, Macdonald Ebere while addressing aspirants and other party faithful at its Secretariat in Owerri.
Just a few hours after the announcement another date was seen flying on social media indicating that the date for the exercise had been shifted to August 24 which was never debunked or confirmed by the party leadership.
Noticeably, the two dates that were selected for the exercise have come and gone but the primary is yet to take place.
Speaking with our correspondent, a member of the party who gave his name as Henry Ezirim said the delay in announcing an election date, may not be unconnected with the wait for the supreme court judgement on the state governorship election.
He, however, noted that the awaited judgement has since arrived in favour of the party, raising more concerns as to the delay
“Many of us thought that the governor would directly fix the date for the exercise when he addressed the party members after the supreme court judgement but to our surprise no date was fixed rather what he said was how the primaries would be conducted ” the APC member said.
Ezirim informed that following the development, aspirants are no longer comfortable with the happenings in the party.
The governor, as gathered by our correspondent, has made several public declarations regarding the APC primaries ahead of the September 21 main elections.
On July 31, 2024, during a stakeholder’s meeting in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma declared that the election would be decided through a free and fair process by the people, emphasizing that no person shall emerge from his table.
During the celebration of his recent Supreme Court victory at Sam Mbakwe banquet hall, the governor while addressing the party faithful, declared that there will be zoning to select those who will fly the party’s flag, explaining that the reason is to maintain peace and political stability in various LGAs as he cautioned those running against the zoning system to desist from it.
He said that he is going to adopt what he described as the Imo formula, which allows fairness, equity, and justice to set an example for other States to emulate.
The governor maintained that he is aware of aspirants who have gone to some individuals to pledge allegiance with oath-taking while writing undertakings, an act he condemned, saying that by virtue of the Nigerian constitution, such individuals are already disqualified from the contest.
Similarly, on August 27 (Yesterday) the Governor met with all the chairmanship and Councillor aspirants including the state leadership of the party at its Secretariat where he informed the aspirants that the party is going to adopt several methods in selecting its flag bearers for the main elections.
He informed them that the party will select its candidates by consensus but pointed out that where consensus fails, the party will conduct a primary election, either direct or indirect.
The governor told the aspirants that any of them who are unable to get the ticket that his or her money will be refunded on the condition that they conduct themselves during and after the process.
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