Anambra APC primary: Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRazaq to head reconciliation efforts

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Babajide Sanwo-Olu and AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, governors of Lagos and Kwara states, to head its reconciliation efforts on the Anambra governorship primary election.

John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary APC caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee (CECPC), announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The Anambra APC primary which held on June 26 was marred by controversies.

After Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun and chairman of the APC primary election committee, had announced Andy Uba, a former senator, as the winner, 11 of the 14 governorship aspirants insisted that there was no primary election.

Chris Ngige, minister of labour and productivity, also alleged that the outcome of the primary announced by the Ogun governor was a “total fabrication”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also said that its monitors mobilised for the primary did not witness voting at the collation centres.

Speaking on the efforts to resolve the issue, Akpanudoedehe said the governors are expected to reconcile all feuding parties.

“The CECPC has appointed the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Governor of Kwara, Alhaji AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman to unify and strengthen the party in the state ahead of the elections,” the statement reads.

“The two party leaders are charged with the responsibility of bringing together all the erstwhile aspirants and their supporters to join the campaign organisation of the party and achieve victory for it in the state.”

He said the party is looking forward to a unified front and a shared commitment before, during and after the election.

The ruling party risks being disqualified from partaking in the election if INEC rejects the result announced by Abiodun.

Also, the July 1 deadline announced by INEC for parties to conclude their primaries has lapsed.