Why Gov Uzodinma was Removed as Edo Governorship Primary Chair, APC Clarifies

In a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed the replacement of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with his Cross River counterpart, Bassey Otu, as the Chairman of the Edo governorship primary election.

According to Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Governor Uzodimma was “unavoidably unavailable” to complete the primary election, leading to the decision to replace him with his deputy, Governor Bassey Otu. The party officially announced these changes through a statement issued by APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Wednesday.

This move came shortly after four prominent Edo State governorship aspirants expressed a vote of no confidence in Governor Uzodimma. Confusion arose when different sources declared different winners, with Uzodimma announcing Dennis Idahosa as the winner and returning officer Stanley Ugboaja declaring Monday Okpebholo as the victor. Another claimant, Ojo Babatunde, declared Anamero Dekeri the winner.

The APC’s national leadership in Abuja declared Saturday’s primary inconclusive on Tuesday. Despite media reports suggesting Uzodimma was sacked, the National Publicity Secretary clarified that the governor was not sacked but was unable to lead the completion of the Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election due to prior commitments.

Morka emphasized, “Governor Uzodimma was neither ‘sacked’ nor ‘dropped’ but was unavoidably unavailable,” and Governor Bassey Otu willingly stepped in to complete the Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election process. The APC urged understanding and clarified that the replacement was due to scheduling conflicts, not a removal of Uzodimma from the position.