KOGI GUBERNATORIAL: APC SWITCHES TO DIRECT MAIN MODE

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has chosen a direct primary election to select a governorship candidate for the Kogi State election in 2023.

In a letter dated April 6, 2023, and signed by the APC's interim national chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the party informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and aspirants of its decision to use the direct option.

The letter reads in part: "We refer to our earlier letter dated 25th January, 2023, with reference no: APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/023/191 wherein we notified the Commission of the mode of primary election for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State.

"However, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reviewed the modalities for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State and has therefore resorted to adopt the DIRECT mode of primary election instead of the Indirect Mode as earlier communicated.

"The date for the conduct of the primary election still remains Friday 14th April, 2023.

"Following the above, there shall be a Special Congress to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State scheduled for Saturday. 15th April, 2023."

In a letter dated April 6, 2023, and signed by the APC's interim national chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the party informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and aspirants of its decision to use the direct option.

When delivering his decision, Judge James Omotosho ruled that the ward and local government congresses held on February 7 were invalid because they were not carried out in accordance with the Election Act 2022 and the APC Constitution.

Nevertheless, party stakeholders across the country argued the verdict was merely an intellectual exercise because the party had already opted to go the direct route despite winning two cases on the same issue the previous week.