The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Monday that last week’s
governorship primary in Bayelsa State failed to meet its acceptable
standard of free and fair election and therefore will not stand.
The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, however refused to
speak on the contribution of the party to the list of ministers, assuring
Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari will do what he needs to do “at
the right time.”
Addressing journalists at the end of its National Working Committee
meeting in Abuja, Odigie -Oyegun said the party has decided to fix fresh
primary for Tuesday in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Oyegun was accompanied to the briefing 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 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.
“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.”
Sylva’s campaign organisation described as misleading and completely
untrue reports that the primaries have been cancelled or rescheduled.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the campaign organisation maintained
that the disputed primary, which was won by Sylva, was conducted in
accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines set by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and as such the party has no basis to
cancel its outcome.
The statement, signed on behalf of the campaign by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo,
said: “We want to state categorically that since the primary election was
conducted according to the rules and duly won by Sylva, he remains the
candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State and any statement to the contrary is
mere rumour.
“The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have
the powers to unilaterally annul a state primary election. We are even
shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received
the report from members of the electoral panel.
“Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee,
which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the
primary election. It is only after the Appeals Committee has concluded its
job that the National Working Committee (NWC) will meet to consider all
reports from the primary, including those of the security agencies.
“There are seven members of the panel. Let us say Governor Adams
Oshiomhole has submitted his own report through the pages of newspapers,
there are six members left and the NWC has to sit and debate the reports.
“Oshiomhole lied that the election was marred by violence. There are
pictures and videos to prove that he lied. There are pictures and video to
show that Oshiomhole presided over the election and handed over the
exercise to the Secretary of the Panel on the excuse that he was going to
eat.
“It should also be pointed out that only Oshiomhole left the venue of the
election and that the remaining six panel members and INEC officials
remained in the venue till the winner was announced.
“Oshiomhole must answer some questions relating to his conducts, which
completely compromised his position as chair of the election panel. Right
from the beginning, it was obvious that Oshiomhole was working towards a
pre-determined answer, unfortunately for him, the will of our people
prevailed.
“Lastly, you cannot abort a baby that has already been born. The APC
governorship primary has been concluded in Bayelsa State, a winner has
emerged, and the winner is Sylva. We therefore ask our teeming supporters
to remain calm and ignore the rumour that a new primary is being scheduled
for early next week.”