Buhari wades into Edo APC crisis

There were indications Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari may have directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal to interface with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state with a view to resolving the crisis in the party.

Sources close to the party told journalists that the President has asked the SGF to meet with all the aspirants in the last governorship primaries and other stakeholders within 24 hours.

The Edo State APC governorship primaries which was held on June 18 and won by Mr. Godwin Obaseki is being challenged by two of the aspirants who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.

In his petitions to the Appeals Committee, Ogiemwonyi alleged over voting at the primaries, while Imansuagbon claimed that the primary was rigged electronically.

It was gathered that the two aggrieved aspirants have threatened to drag the party to court if they fail to nullify the primary.

The source said, “The two aggrieved aspirants are waiting the recommendation of the Committee, threatening to go to court and work against the party in the event of any last minutes endorsement”.

Chairman of the Primary Committee and  governor of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari who was invited to appear before the committee was said to have been represented by a Director at the National Secretariat of the party.

Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the committee was compiling its recommendations, adding that all the stakeholders invited met with the Committee members and made oral presentations of the primaries.

He however deny knowledge of the proposed meeting between the aspirants and the SGF.