The possibility of an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before the Edo State governorship primary is remote, it was learnt on Monday.
The shadow poll is expected to hold on June 22, according to the guidelines by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) which has directed the chapter to brace up for a direct primary.
However, some party chieftains, including some governors rooting for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second term, are mounting pressure on the party leadership to consider an emergency NEC meeting to renew the guidelines on the direct primary.
Obaseki and his supporters, who are resisting the direct primary, are rooting for an indirect primary or delegate system.
But, APC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who spoke on preparations for the Edo election in Abuja, said there would be no need for any emergency NEC meeting before the poll.
He said: “Why should there be emergency meeting? What is the emergency? COVID-19? We, NWC, are involved in the day to day running of the party and this is part of the routine we carry out. This is not the first time and whoever said that also is expressing view, which is also allowed in democracy.”
Issa-Onilu, spoke shortly after the party displayed the aspirants’ credentials, was silent on wether the screening committee, which will be set up today, will disqualify any aspirant based on alleged forgery and perjury. (The Nation)