By Omeiza Ajayi 

The Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance of the African Civil Society Forum has asked Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC Primary Election Committee for Edo state, Gov. Hope Uzodinma to step aside ahead of Thursday’s rescheduled continuation of the exercise.

At a news conference Wednesday in Abuja, the forum also thanked President Bola Tinubu “for his timely intervention on the Edo APC Governorship primary election that produced three candidates”. 

It said the President’s intervention which led to the cancellation of the entire exercise has justified his position as a true democrat with fatherly love for all Nigerians. 

Chair of the Governing Board of the African Civil Society Forum, Dr. Tunji John Asaolu urged all stakeholders involved in the APC primary election in Edo State to play their roles according to the rule of law, fairness and transparency. 

“It is therefore essential that the rescheduled process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles to ensure that the will of the people is respected and upheld. 

“We hereby call on Sen. Hope Uzodinma, the Chairman of Edo APC governorship primary election to step aside, having conducted a shabby primary which is described by Nigerians as quagmire to build trust on the process. 

“Nigerians, especially the APC members need to build trust and confidence on the election committee which Hope does not represent”, he stated.