•Appoints Gov. Bala Mohammad as chairman

By Omeiza Ajayi & John Alechenu

The National Working Committee (NWC), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has set up an eleven member post-primary election reconciliation committee for Edo State to manage the fallout of the just concluded party primary in the state.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed was appointed as chairman of the committee which has former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senator Stella Omu as members.
Other members of the committee include: Dame Esther Uduehi, Sen. Olalere Oyewunmi, Prof. Sandy Onor, Alh. Isiaka Sola Gold, while Emmanuel Enoidem,SAN is to serve as Secretary. Barr. Jacob Otorkpa was named as the Administrative Secretary.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja, on Friday.

He said, “Following the successful conduct of our Edo State Governorship Primary Election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution and Guidelines of our Party, constitutes the Edo State Post-Primary Election Reconciliation Committee.
“The Committee is charged with the responsibility of reconciling all critical stakeholders and all our party members in Edo State ahead of the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in the State.

“The NWC urges all critical stakeholders and members of our great Party in Edo State to remain steadfast and continue to work hard for the success of our Party and Governorship Candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State.”

Recall that the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, had insisted that he won the “authentic” party primary conducted by genuine delegates in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. He then demanded that he should be recognized and handed the certificate of return which was earlier given to Ighodalo or he would take the matter to court.

We won’t extend March 24 deadline for candidates’ nomination —INEC

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has asked political parties participating in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State to work within the timeline for the nomination of candidates, saying it would not grant any extension.

INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun gave the charge in a statement, yesterday. He said political parties have from Monday, March 4 to 6pm of Sunday March 24, 2024 to file their nominations.

Olumekun noted that as provided by the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties expired on February 24, 2024.

According to him, the next activity is the submission of nomination forms by political parties via the dedicated online portal.

He said the Commission had earmarked a period of 20 days for political parties to upload the Personal Particulars (Form EC9) and Names/List of Nominated candidates (Form EC9B) of their candidates to the portal which will open at 9.00am on Monday March 4, 2024 and automatically shut down at 6.00pm on Sunday March 24, 2024. Access Code to the portal will be available for collection by the national chairmen of political parties from March 1.