The campaign organisation of a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has said the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to cancel the party primary election in which Sylva emerged winner last Tuesday.
It described as “misleading and completely untrue” reports purporting that the party had cancelled or rescheduled the controversial election.
A statement signed by Doifie Buokoribo, said the primary was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission and as such the party had no basis to cancel its outcomes.
“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,” it said.
“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.”
“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.”
It said Mr. Oshiomhole lied that the election was marred by violence, insisting that there were pictures and videos to prove it.
It said, “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.”