The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed tomorrow, Tuesday for the conduct of a fresh governorship primary in Bayelsa state after the one held last week Monday failed to meet the party’s standard of free and fair election.
The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke to new men at the end of its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja today, said: “The main issue that occupied us today at the NWC meeting has to do with the Bayelsa governorship primary. We want to make it very clear that as a party, the APC guides very jealously its record of free and fair primary.
Flanked by the Deputy Chairman, North and South, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Engr. Segun Oni, National Vice Chairman, South -South, Prince Hillaard Etta, the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and National Women Leader, Hajia Ramatu Tijanni Ali, the APC chairman added: “the NWC sees it as a duty to provide a level playing ground for all those who aspire to offices in this party. Unfortunately, in Bayelsa State, we had serious security challenges and so, the process could not meet the standard which this party has set for itself.
“So, we have no alternative than to stop the process by ensuring that the chairman of the panel was effectively moved out of the venue with the help of security agencies. We decided thereafter that there should be a proper fresh primary.
“So today, the party decided and we have written to INEC appropriately that the party has decided to conduct fresh primary for the Bayelsa governorship election beginning on Tuesday. So, the process for fresh primary will begin on Tuesday.
“We are getting in touch with the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to please assist us by ensuring effective security.” [myad]
