The All Progressives Congress (APC) has opted for direct primary in the June 22 primary to pick its candidate in the September 19 governorship election in the state.
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While the APC opted for direct primary to pick its candidate, 14 other parties taking part in the governorship election chose indirect primaries to pick their candidates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced this on Tuesday evening after a virtual meeting, also said that the parties primaries will begin from June 14 with the ZLP holding its primaries.
According to a statement issued by Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, the parties that opted for indirect primaries were AA. AAC, ADC, ADP, APGA, APM, APP, LP, NNPP, NRM, PDP, SDP, YPP, ZLP, while only the APC will hold a direct primary.
But this is against the wish of Godwin Obaseki, the governor who is seeking reelection. His faction of the party has insisted on indirect primary.
The other faction on the side of Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s national chairman, had earlier chosen direct primary election which is believed will be in favour of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, its consensus aspirant.
Unlike indirect primary where party members elect delegates who in turn choose the party’s candidates on their behalf, direct primary involves no delegate as registered members of the party vote for who they want to be their flag-bearer.
In the statement, Festus Okoye, INEC spokesman, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opted for indirect primary which will be from June 19 to June 20.
INEC said only 15 of the 18 political parties participating in the September 19 election have indicated interest in conducting primaries.
It urged the parties to conduct the primaries in line with provisions of the 1999 constitution and its policy on conducting elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the federal high court in Edo fixed June 11 to hear a suit seeking to stop the direct primary election planned in Edo.
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