Leading aspirants in last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo and General Charles Airhiavbere have demanded the removal of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma as Chairman of the Election Committee.
The aspirants, in a joint statement issued Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s ordered rerun of the governorship primary, said Uzodinma did not observe the minimum requirements for compliance with the relevant provisions of the laws and regulations guiding the election as provided both in the Electoral Act and in the APC constitution.
They said whatever was responsible for Uzodinma’s flagrant disregard for due process could also be repeated during the election process.
The aspirants said, “We strongly believe that whatever was responsible for his flagrant disregard for due process and unusual hasty declaration of unconfirmed fictitious results of the primaries outside the designated collation centre may not have abated from his mind, and therefore may be repeated if given the opportunity to play the same role as chairman in the process.
“In the circumstance, we are calling on Mr. President to kindly use his good offices to replace Senator Hope Uzodinma with any other respected member of our great party, as chairman whom the President strongly believes will comply with the law, maintain internal democracy, protect and defend the integrity and goodwill of the President which he has attained over the years that endeared him to both national and international stakeholders.”
