There is an indication that the Independent National Electoral Commission is caught in a rollercoaster on whether to supervise the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State.
The APC under the leadership of the sacked National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole had hinted INEC in a letter addressed to the electoral commission on May 19 that it had adopted a direct primary as a mode to choose its flagbearer in Edo State.
Oshiomhole was later sacked by the Appeal Court which affirmed his suspension.
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Since his removal, APC has found itself in a deeper crisis as the leadership fights for the position of the Acting Chairmanship.
Tribune Online reports that the election boss Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu has not made up his mind to supervise the APC primary as he had received letters from two leaders of the party, claiming to be the Acting Chairman.
Victor Giadom, a faction of the new leadership and Hillard Eta, the National Vice-Chairman South-South have both written to INEC claiming to be the Acting Chairmen.
Eta had claimed chairmanship of the party on behalf of the deputy national chairman (south) Senator Abiola Ajimobi who was battling for his life after contracting COVID-19.
Giadom who wrote to Professor Mahmood on June 18, 2020, claimed his chairmanship position following a judgement of Justice Mohammed Lamido of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which affirmed the decision of an Abuja High Court of Justice Danlami Senchi that earlier validated Oshiomhole’s suspension by his ward in Etsako, Edo State.
Giadom’s letter asked Mahmood to disregard subsequent correspondence from any other members of the APC NWC.
It reads “I want to respectfully through this medium bring it to your attention that I have been appointed as the acting national chairman of the APC.
“A copy of the order of the FCT High Court, Abuja affirming my authority as the acting national chairman of the APC is herewith attached. Please, note that the earlier judgment of the FCT High Court suspending Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from office on March 4, 2020, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on June 16, 2020. Mr Oshiomhole’s appeals were dismissed on that date. Copies of the orders of the court in the two cases are herewith attached for your perusal.
“As the acting national chairman of the party, all processes, documents, and communications including those concerning the conduct of elections meant for the APC are to be served on me,” he said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Eta has formed a committee to be led by the governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinmma to supervise the primary election expected to take place tomorrow.
According to the local news report, quoting a senior staff of the INEC anonymous source, the electoral body acknowledged the letter from Giadom, adding that INEC has not taken a definite position.
He said: “Yes, we have received correspondence from Giadom, but we are still watching the situation because we don’t want to take a position that will make people see us a biased umpire.
“You know there is another judgment delivered in Port Harcourt, restraining the same Giadom from parading himself.”
When asked if the Commission will send its official to supervise APC primary election fixed for tomorrow (Monday) organized by the Hillard Eta, the medium quoted the source as saying that “In all honesty, we haven’t taken a decision whether to supervise or not. As I said, we want to look at all the prevailing court pronouncements.”
Another management staff of the INEC, according to the Tribune Online, said “We are looking at the sky. It is still foggy, but the commission will be guided by processes to make a decision when it meets next week.
“Our commission is yet to make a decision. Probably next week, after our meeting on Tuesday, a statement will be made by the commission on the issue.”
If the INEC fails to supervise the APC primary in Edo State due to its leadership tussle, it might threaten their chances in the coming election, a resemblance of Zamfara State situation may further divide the ruling party.
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